AKC Announces Recipients of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Awards

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club^® (AKC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Pat Hastings (Conformation), Lynn Eggers (Companion Events) and Dr. Ray Calkins (Performance).

The AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions on a national level. This year’s recipients have contributed decades of breeding, training, handling and judging knowledge to the sport of dogs.

The three winners, who were selected from votes cast by AKC member clubs, will receive engraved Revere bowls on Friday, December 13, 2013 at the AKC Delegates luncheon held in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Florida. A sterling silver Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past and present, is on permanent display at AKC headquarters in New York City.

The 2014 recipients are:

Conformation: Pat Hastings of Aloha, Oregon

Pat Hastings has been involved in the dog world since 1959. She began her career as an owner-handler, moved into breeding, and then teamed up with her late husband, E.R. “Bob” Hastings, in professional handling.

Nearly 30 years ago, the Hastings began researching canine structure in order to help breeders more accurately evaluate litters to determine the best lifestyle choice for each puppy. Pat Hastings has evaluated over 25,000 puppies, always taking time to discuss her findings and teach about canine structure. Her expertise is respected by show and performance people alike.

She began judging for AKC in 1991. Besides judging at countless all-breed shows, she has been honored to judge many Nationals, both here and abroad, including the Doberman Pinscher Club of America’s National three times, a club that honored Pat and Bob Hastings with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Along the way, Hastings has chaired local shows, National Specialties, and a major benefit for “Take the Lead.”

As a highly respected educator in the dog world, Hastings has always endeavored to teach by example, to approach all aspects of the sport with respect, common sense, and personal integrity.

Hastings has presented seminars for 25 years around the world to all aspects of the sport and has authored three best-selling books, produced a popular DVD and has written numerous articles for a variety of publications.

She is a great believer in the value of mentoring and has worked with novices and new judges providing information, moral support, and encouragement.

Companion Events: Lynn Eggers of Grapevine, Texas

Lynn Eggers began her career in dogs in 1961 with a Miniature Poodle who became her first obedience Utility dog. She subsequently owned and trained her first Doberman Pinscher, who became 1967’s top-winning Doberman in the country.

Thus began her long passion for the sport of dogs. Eggers began judging obedience in 1968 and has continued her love of the sport for 45 years. A judge of all levels of obedience and AKC Rally ®  who has judged in virtually every state in the United States, Eggers loves to judge. She believes that today’s obedience dogs are far superior to those of the past, due to better training methods and positive reinforcement.

Eggers has bred Doberman Pinschers for 43 years under the kennel name “Foxhall.” She is very proud to have bred and owned the first AKC champion Doberman bitch with a Schutzhund 3 title.

A member of the board of the Doberman Pinscher Club of Dallas, and a longtime member Doberman Pinscher Club of America, Eggers stays very involved in the sport and is very proud of her role as board member of Take the Lead.

Eggers has always felt a calling to encourage each exhibitor and to praise their efforts in training their dogs. She says it is important in our society to encourage everyone to do basic training with their dogs. Eggers has been known to say to exhibitors, “Dogs do not wind up in rescue when they have someone who takes the time to train them, so I congratulate each of you here today for your accomplishment.”

 Performance: Dr. Ray Calkins of Wilsonville, Oregon

Dr. Ray Calkins received his degree in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University and purchased Wilsonville Veterinary Clinic in 1976.

Dr. Calkins handled his first German Wirehaired Pointer to a red ribbon in a puppy stake in 1975. Since then, 10 “Cascade” GWPs, all owner-trained and –handled, have earned field championships; three are dual champions, eight are master hunters, and two hold NAVHDA Utility ratings. Four Cascade dogs hold nine National Field Championships. Cascade sires are the number-one and -two producers of GWP field champions, and others carry Cascade dogs in their pedigrees.

Dr. Calkins has been a member of the GWPCA since 1974 and served on the board of directors for 10 years. He was Field Futurity chairman for 12 years, a member of the GWP Field Trial Advisory Board from 1985–2000, represented the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America at the AKC Field Trial Advisory Board from 1986 until 1999, and is currently the GWPCA president.

Dr. Calkins organized the Oregon German Wirehaired Pointer Club in 1978, and he helped to form the Columbia NAVHDA Chapter and the Upland Bird Dog Association to work with the ODFW and Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation.

He is a National Championship judge for a majority of AKC pointing breeds and the AKC Gun Dog Championships. He has judged regional championships too.

Dr. Calkins was invited to join Portland Kennel Club in 1981. He serves as show veterinarian and speaks at breed clubs on health issues, field emergencies, and reproduction. His commitment to education extends to youth groups and pointing-dog clubs with hands-on field-training days.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Nov 4 2013. Filed under Breaking News, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.