Giving Back to Junior Handlers

by Nancy Van Buren, Sandy Slattum and Patti Kleven

This article is written in honor and appreciation of all programs across the country that encourage and support junior showmanship.

In the spring of 2006, a group of parents, staff, and interested folks got together to form a group to support and promote the Junior Showmanship program at Animal Inn, which is located in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. The goal of the group was to promote good sportsmanship and responsibility in young people that are involved in the sport of dogs.

Dave Slattum, an AKC Registered Handler, and his wife, Sandy, are co-owners of Animal Inn and have been involved in the sport of showing dogs for years. They saw an opportunity to help young people learn to handle their dogs and compete in the various events offered by AKC including conformation, obedience, and agility training.  In an effort to “give back” to the sport, they developed the program with the vision to assist with training through the provision of weekly classes for junior handlers at their training center in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. They also developed a scholarship fund to help assist one or more deserving juniors each year to attend events and provide awards to outstanding juniors who train their dogs at Animal Inn. Thanks to a dedicated group of individuals who work with the juniors each and every week, as well as organize and participate in fundraisers, the program has continued to grow and thrive over the years.  They encourage the children to actively work at training and showing their dogs, and to “give back” by helping others and volunteering at Animal Inn fundraising events.

In addition to the pure joy of having a wonderful relationship with your dog, there are many other benefits to dog ownership. Children growing up in the sport of dogs learn so much more than children do in some other sports. They not only learn that you don’t always win no matter how hard you try, they also must learn the responsibility of taking care of living beings – other than themselves.

Learning to communicate well and get along with people of all ages and backgrounds is another skill required to be successful in this sport.  For example, junior handlers quickly learn that they must present themselves to adults in a different manner from than they present themselves to their peers.  In doing so, they gain the respect and admiration of adults and learn to thrive in an adult world.

Other benefits include poise and self-confidence which are gained from having to present themselves with their dog in the ring before a judge and other spectators. This translates into a healthy self-esteem and an ability to communicate with others in all aspects of life.

This is a unique sport that people of all ages enjoy.  The juniors showing today are the judges, breeders, exhibitors, and caretakers of our animals in the future. Whether or not your area has a unique program for juniors like the one offered by Animal Inn, or simply an interested and caring group of adults, these children are provided with an invaluable opportunity to experience the joy in the sport of dog showing.

Reference:  The Animal Inn Junior Showmanship Fund: “Our Story”

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Posted by chesliepickett on Nov 1 2013. Filed under The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.