GROWL FINDING A CELL PHONE IN THE DESERT: HOW SCENT WORK SAVED THE DAY. In this issue: ESTABLISHED 1958 SEPTEMBER 2018

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1 In this issue: GROWL ESTABLISHED 1958 SEPTEMBER 2018 FIVE HEROIC DOGS HONORED WITH 2018 AKC HUMANE FUND AWARDS FOR CANINE EXCELLENCE (ACE) The AKC Humane Fund is proud to announce the winners of the 19th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). These awards celebrate five loyal, hardworking dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and communities. This year s ACE winners are: Uniformed Service K-9: Copper, a Black and Tan Coonhound handled by Officer Christopher Hattaway of Cocoa, Florida K-9 Copper, officially known as Oak Hills Above and Beyond by Brenmaur, is a two-year-old Black and Tan Coonhound serving the Cocoa Police Department with his handler, Officer Chris Hattaway. He is a registered therapy dog and is trained to track missing persons. One of the most significant parts of his job as a Cocoa Police K-9 is community Ace Awards...1, 3 Scent Work...1, 4 President s Message...2 Paying it Forward...5 The Harvest Cluster...6 Brags...7 Training Class Schedule...8 Dates to Remember...10 engagement and public relations. Copper s role in the department has helped bridge the gap between the Cocoa community and the police. Copper s presence during police interviews changes the atmosphere for people who have been traumatized, including children, victims of sexual or domestic abuse, the elderly and more. Service Dog: Sampson, a Golden Retriever owned by Joey Ramp of Foosland, Illinois Sampson is a three-year-old Golden Retriever certified by Paws Giving Independence. After a life-altering accident in 2006, Joey Ramp was left recovering from a brain injury, mobility complications and nerve FINDING A CELL PHONE IN THE DESERT: HOW SCENT WORK SAVED THE DAY VISIT US ONLINE AT continued on page 3 By Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT for AKC Certified professional dog trainer Nicole Ellis grew up acting and modeling, so when she adopted her dog Maggie 10 years ago, she decided to train the pup to do the same. She hits a [designated] mark, can do every behavior on a hand command or verbal, and with the same enthusiasm the 15th time as the first time, says Ellis. All that hard work has paid off, as Maggie s images have graced the pages of Harper s Bazaar Magazine and have been included in advertising for Petco, Neiman Marcus, and other businesses. She even died in a Stephen King film. But with all the training Ellis continued on page 4

2 President s Message JACK GRASSA Sharon Fremer Ramapo Kennel Club Officers President Sharon Fremer teneo@mac.com Vice President Gerrie Oliver Treasurer Ruth Henningsen Recording Secretary Amy Starost Corresponding Secretary Tilly Grassa tgcreative@aol.com Board of Directors 2019 Elaine Barone Lorraine Fennemore Joan Kuehm 2020 Sue Leonard Rita Marchese Cindy McMillen I hope you all enjoyed the last few unofficial weeks of summer. The weather certainly isn t letting us forget what season it is. Regardless of the heat, outdoor shows have started up again and I m sure many of our members are out there competing with their dogs and happy to be back at it. There s not much new to write about since the summer Growl came out, but we do have exciting news about the new Ramapo website. It will be debuting soon! Tilly Grassa has worked long and hard with a wonderful web designer (thank you, Gerrie, for pointing us toward her!). We have some final proofing and editing to do and we will then share it with the members. We are looking for a few people to take on the responsibility for maintaining the site. You don t have to have loads of ideas about what to post, it s not like Face Book in that respect. Rather, you would have to be available to go online and post news or updates or announcements when needed. If that s something you would enjoy, please let us know! And speaking of FaceBook, if anyone would like to help us keep our page current and full of pertinent content, please let us know! Social media is extraordinarily timeconsuming (just ask Tilly), it truly takes a village. (And we haven t even entered the Twittersphere yet!) We welcome more help with all of it. I tried to get several different speakers for next week s meeting, but was unsuccessful. Let s use our time to discuss committees and events and plan our coming year. Let me know if there is something you would particularly like to have on the agenda. I welcome everyone s input on meetings, presentations and events and anything else you d like to see the club do. See you next week! Sharon AKC Delegate Jeffrey David Ball 2

3 AWARDS FOR CANINE EXCELLENCE (ACE) from p. 1 damage. She was also struggling with the onset of complex-post traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). As Joey s service dog, Sampson assists with mobility, bracing, climbing stairs and retrieving items, among other tasks. He alerts Joey to an elevation of PTSD symptoms, like panic and anxiety. When Ramp went on to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience she was faced with the challenge of her university not allowing service dogs in laboratories. Joey and Sampson fought the university policy to overcome service dog access obstacles. Sampson is now the first service dog to gain access to a biology and research laboratory at the University of Illinois. Therapy Dog: Kol, a Golden Retriever owned by Jane Eisenberg of Boynton Beach, Florida Kol, an eight-year-old Golden Retriever, officially known as GCHB CH Gemini s House Of The Rising Sun CDX BN RAE JH THDD CGCA TKA, is certified by Paws for Assistance and owned by Jane Eisenberg. Kol is an AKC Grand Champion and has earned many AKC titles including the AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD) by completing at least 400 therapy dog visits. Jane and Kol have spent the past six years comforting people who have experienced trauma, but nothing was quite like their last assignment. They spent almost four months at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) in Parkland, Florida following the devastating shooting that occurred on February 14th. Search and Rescue Dog: Inspector Gadget, a Bloodhound owned and handled by Robert Wells of Lancaster, California Inspector Gadget, officially known as CH Inspector Gadget Sniffs Spottyacre, is an eleven-year-old Bloodhound. He is a Volunteer Mission Ready Search and Rescue Dog with the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA). Inspector Gadget and his handler, Bob Wells, have deployed dozens of times to assist in locating the missing and bringing them home. The pair has dedicated thousands of hours to training and performing searches throughout the southwest. Inspector Gadget has established himself as an outstanding tracking dog in the field. In one case, Bob Wells and Gadget were deployed to Nevada to help locate a missing person. After trailing from the vehicle and following up on possible sightings, Gadget was able to lead the search team to the location of the subject. His tireless work on this case helped grant closure to a grief-stricken family. As a member of the Search and Rescue team, Inspector Gadget also attends community events to spread awareness and education. Exemplary Companion Dog: Teddy, a Standard Poodle owned by Terri and Spencer Pardee of Concord, MI Teddy is a six-year-old Standard Poodle, officially known as Jed s Theodore Roosevelt SH CD BN RE TD TDU CGC. He is owned by Terri and Spencer Pardee and has helped Spencer gain confidence throughout his ongoing battle with autism. Spencer was adopted from Guatemala at just eight months old. He was highly intelligent with extreme anxieties and fears, later to be diagnosed with high-functioning autism. Teddy slowly helped Spencer break out of his shell. The boy-and-dog duo have gone on to compete in various AKC sports, like obedience, tracking, rally, agility, and Junior Showmanship. 3

4 FINDING A CELL PHONE IN THE DESERT from p. 1 4 gave Maggie, the trainer never guessed that Maggie s most impressive trick would happen unexpectedly in the desert of California s Joshua Tree National Park or that scent work classes would be to thank for it. Earlier this year, Ellis and a friend decided to take a well-earned break by hiking in the Mojave Desert with their dogs. They wandered at their whim through the cacti, and after about one mile, Ellis climbed up to the top of a rock formation. She left her backpack and cell phone at the base of the rocks. When the gang returned to the car, Ellis noticed that her cell phone was missing. The trainer and her friend searched the sandy desert floor under the darkening sky, but the phone was nowhere to be found. Eventually, they gave up for the night. Ellis made plans to head back the next day to continue the search with another friend, Brandise Danesewich. Danesewich and Ellis co-authored Working Like A Dog, a book about working dogs of all kinds, from allergy-alert dogs to search and rescue dogs. During our photo shoots for Working Like A Dog, I got to meet firsthand some incredible dogs that use scent work in their daily jobs, from a dog that found the body of the terrorist that flew the plane into the pentagon on 9/11 to dogs that save lives detecting cancer in humans, says Ellis. She was so inspired that months before her desert adventure, she signed Maggie up for scent work classes. I m always looking for new ways to bond with my pets and see what they enjoy, she explains. Scent work was something new for us both. More importantly, Ellis understood that scent work is a fun and challenging pastime for a dog of any age. Now that Maggie is 10, If her hearing goes or her sight goes downhill, I felt that this is something new we can continue doing for a long time together. Practice Pays Off At their first scent trial, they worked in four scent environments or elements, but only found one of the targeted odors. That didn t deter them. The pair kept practicing, simply because Maggie loves scent work. I get out our scent kit, and she s bounding around the house, barking with excitement, says Ellis. Their scent work trainer, Penny Scott-Fox, taught Maggie to alert by freezing rather than using one of her tricks, such as pawing the box. She also helped Ellis see where she could improve the clarity of her body language and cues. Six months after the scent work training, as Ellis searched for her phone, she remembered a dog from Working Like A Dog that had been trained specifically to find cell phones. An idea blossomed. Ellis gave Maggie the cue to find her scent, but the first time, the pup didn t make it very far. It seemed like a long shot, but Ellis kept cuing Maggie. When they got to the rocks, the little dog launched into action with her nose in the air. After running, turning, and backtracking, she stood tall and motionless. Under her paw was the lost cell phone. Maggie took something the duo had struggled with and proved she understood. Ellis says, We weren t in an 8-foot-by-8-foot controlled room, we were in the middle of a desert, and she searched with her nose held high. She did what I asked of her, proudly. The grateful owner adds, Our animals remember what we teach them, and, in that moment, Maggie put it together and our bond shined. About two weeks after their desert adventure, Ellis and Maggie entered another scent work trial, where the canine companion qualified in all four aspects. Ellis advises people to find something they can enjoy with their dogs. Do more with your dogs; take them on adventures, play games, and learn new things together.

5 PAYING IT FORWARD WITH A LIFE-CHANGING SCHOLARSHIP RKC life member Jean Cooper Loyal Montclair State University alumna Jean Trotta Cooper remembers the exact moment when she and her husband, Edward Cooper, decided to become members of the Carpe Diem Society of Montclair State, the University s society for planned giving donors. On their way home from a vacation in Canada, traveling in the fast lane in their motorhome, they hit a pothole. The front wheels of the vehicle started wobbling and, for a moment, Ed thought he might lose control. Fortunately, they were able to pull over and stop safely, but in that frightening moment they realized that they had not made provisions to ensure that they would be able to direct their legacy in the way they wanted. Once safely home, they contacted an attorney for help in creating an estate plan. As a part of that plan, they decided to support an endowed scholarship for students preparing to be teachers at Montclair State University. Jean says they chose to support scholarships at Montclair State because both she and Ed attended college with scholarship assistance. Ed and I experienced the generosity of scholarships, and we want to do the same for others. The more people we can help in this way, the better. It s a great feeling of satisfaction to know that you are helping someone else. I know that Montclair State will do right with it. In fact, Jean is so enthusiastic about the scholarship that will bear her and her beloved late husband s names that she has decided to establish the Edward W. and Jean V. Cooper Endowed Scholarship for Teacher Training this year with a cash gift that will be augmented later with a bequest from her estate. Jean says that there is a wonderful symmetry to her gift; she and Ed both had long careers that were enabled by the scholarship each received. Now they will be able to give that gift to others. I have made the right decision, she says. Reprinted from the November 2015 issue of Alumni Connections, a Montclair State University newsletter. Submitted by Rose Radel for RKC life member Jean Trotta Cooper. 5

6 HARVEST CLUSTER DOG SHOWS AND OBEDIENCE, RALLY TRIALS 4 ALL BREED SHOWS 4 OBEDIENCE & RALLY TRIALS Ramapo KC & Saw Mill River KC October 12, 13, and 14, 2018 Friday - Saturday - Sunday Friday, October 13 - Saw Mill River KC (2 shows) Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15 - Ramapo KC SUSSEX COUNTY FARM & HORSE SHOWGROUNDS 37 Plains Road, Augusta, New Jersey October issue s photo theme: DOGS IN THE FALL 6 Ruth Henningsen s Nemo jumping the bar jump in Utility.

7 Photos, Brags etc. The Leonards took Oz of Brunswick to the Entlebucher Mountain Dog National Specialty in Lake Elmo, MN Aug 24, 2018.In the morning he won Best of Winners at North Star Herding Specialty and in the afternoon Oz won Best of Winners at the Specialty! On the way to the specialty the Leonards explored MI, WI and north eastern MN. They entered a Marshall MI show where Oz won OH Herding G2. Ed entered Ernie in Barn Hunt and came out with their first ribbon for fastest time! Once in Minnesota they got Oz to swim while Ernie fetched in Lake Superior. Ruth Henningsen s SnoSky Could It Be Magic at SnoArch Merlin Newton KC August 31, WD, BOW,BOS 1 PT Newton KC Sept. 1 WD, BOW 1 PT. Sussex Hills KC Sept 2 WD 1 Pt. Merlin is pictured looking forward to snow. 7

8 RKC TRAINING CLASS SCHEDULE SHOW HANDLING CLASSES TUESDAY EVENINGS 7:30-8:15 Drop-in classes: $12.00 per dog, OR 6 classes for $60.00 Sept. 4, 18 Oct. 2, 16 Nov. 6, 20 Dec. 4, 18 Jan. 15 & 29 Feb. 5, 19 Mar. 5, 19 Apr. 2, 16 May 14, 28 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Linda Hachtel or Sharon Fremer teneo@mac.com No Classes 2nd Tues/Wed of each month No Classes July and August TUESDAY CLASSES PUPPY KINDERGARTEN 6:30-7:15 Session 1 Sept. 4, 18, 25 Oct. 2, 16, 23, 30 Session 2 Nov. 6, 27 Dec. 4, 18 Jan. 15, 22, 29 CGC/Therapy Dog Feb. 12 Session 3 Feb. 5, 19, 26 Mar. 5, 19, 26 Apr. 2 Session 4 Apr. 16, 23, 30 May 14, 21, 28 June 4 CGC/Therapy Dog testing June WEDNESDAY 11 CLASSES RALLY AND OBEDIENCE 6:30-7:15 RALLY NOVICE/ ADVANCED 7:30-8:15 BEGINNER 1 with Canine Good Citizen instruction 8:30 9:15 BEGINNER 2 with Therapy Dog instruction SESSION 1 Sept. 5, 19, 26 Oct. 3, 17, 24, 31 SESSION 2 Nov. 7, 28 Dec. 5, 19 Jan. 16, 23, 30 CGC/Therapy Dog Testing Feb. 12 There is a fee to testing SESSION 3 Feb. 6, 20, 27 Mar. 6, 20, 27 Apr. 3 FOR CLASS INFORMATION AND TIMES CONTACT any of the following: Ruth Hennigsen or ruthh.sno-dog@juno.com Elaine Barone or elaineb.bowow@juno.com Amy Starost or astarost@yahoo.com Anne Hulsizer rallydog@optonline.net The Class registration form is available on the website: ramapokennelclub.com/rkcclasses SESSION 4 Apr. 17, 24 May 1, 15, 22, 29 June 5 CGC/Therapy Dog testing June 11 There is a fee for testing No Classes 2nd Tues/Wed of each month No Classes July and August 8

9 Got Stuff? Send your stories, news, brags, suggestions, comments and photos to Tilly Grassa, Remember the Growl comes out about a week before each monthly meeting. Submissions are due two weeks before the meeting. The Growl is by and for the members so I need your help to make it interesting. GROWL Published by the Ramapo Kennel Club 7 Morgan Court Wayne, NJ Designer/Editor/Photographer: Tilly Grassa tgcreative@aol.com

10 Dates to remember: All membership meetings are held at American Legion Post Oak Ave. Pequannock, NJ at 8:00 PM (unless otherwise noted) Tue. and Wed., Sept. 4-5 Wed., September 12 RKC Classes begin for the season. (See page 8 for the complete schedule.) Member Meeting 8pm. Board meeting 7:15pm. Program TBA Wed., October 10 Member Meeting 8pm. Board meeting 7:15pm. Program TBA Fri., Sat. and Sun., October 12 thru 14 The Harvest Cluster Point Shows GROWL 7 Morgan Court Wayne, NJ FIRST CLASS MAIL