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1999 American Whippet Club Whippet Annual Pages 126 through 150
Following is the presentation given by Mary Beth Arthur It is a pleasure to be here today and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you. Just what is the Whippet Health Foundation, Inc.? It is a recently formed non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the welfare of dogs in general and the Whippet in particular, primarily by funding medical research and educational projects. It will make grants to individuals and organizations for worthy projects. The research activities will target preventable conditions and diseases through genetic testing, curable diseases which depend on the discovery of new and/or better medications and improved treatments, and controllable diseases which are not curable but can be controlled by medication and therapies that improve the length and quality of life. These goals are reached through funding applicable research. This foundation was formed to give something back to dogs and particularly the Whippet for providing so much unconditional love and companionship to us, their owners and friends. Benefits will not only be gained by the dogs but their owners as well. Dog owners should not have to live under conditions dictated by genetic disease and worse yet, have the heartbreak of losing
a beloved friend too early. Eventually health defects will be minimized. Fewer dogs will have to be euthanized due to genetic problems. Dog owners will be spared unnecessary heartbreak and expense. Eventual breakthroughs will contribute Because many of the genetic diseases that affect dogs are also evident in humans, some benefit could derive from canine research which would be of use in pursuing the human form of the same, or related diseases. The Whippet Health Foundation, Inc. has not yet funded any research or educational studies. This is because there is not adequate money in the treasury to do so. Funds will be awarded when there is adequate money. Thanks to many generous Whippet owners, there is $8,700 in the treasury at the present time. Funding priorities will eventually be decided and research proposals will be solicited. The Whippet Health Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors will decide what educational and research projects will be funded. We are indeed fortunate that the Whippet is a breed of dog not plagued by inherited diseases. However, there are some serious health problems lurking and it is in everyone’s best interest to deal with them now before they get out of hand. We have seen what other breed clubs have done, or neglected to do, in dealing with genetic health problems. At present in the United States, in addition to the American Kennel Club, there are 27 dog breed clubs that have been proactive in health issues by setting up tax exempt non-profit Foundations to fund research. The first was the Collie Club in 1981. More recently, our registering organization, The American Kennel Club, set up the Canine Health Foundation in 1995. One of the main goals all these organizations share is to make progress toward the elimination of genetic diseases in dogs, helping dogs to live longer, healthier lives. They are also active in seeking ways to integrate the observations and knowledge of dog owners, breeders and veterinarians and other scientists for the purpose of advancing the health of dogs. To address Whippet health related issues, the American Whippet Club Board of Directors approved the establishment of a Whippet Health Committee in April 1992. This committee was composed of two veterinarians that were also Whippet owners, Dr. Connie Austin and Dr. Connie Brunkow. Later, veterinarian and Whippet owner Dr. Lisa Costello was appointed to the committee. The Committee was part of the American Whippet Club. In 1998, it moved from the auspices of the American Whippet Club and became part of the new Whippet Health Foundation, Inc. Health Committee members often publish articles in the Whippet News and Whippet Annual on various health related issues to inform and educate Whippet owners. Some of the committee’s specialty areas include Dr. Austin doing surveys, Dr. Brunkow as the contact on issues related to vision and eye defects. She has written yearly summaries for the Whippet Annual based on information provided by the Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF). Dr. Costello is the contact person for deafness questions and hearing issues. The Health Committee helps identify what problems are present in the breed over time by talking to owners and breeders about health problems they have identified in their lines or individual dogs. Health Committee members will not release the names of individuals who have provided information unless given permission to do so by that person. A breed-wide Whippet health survey was conducted in the U.S. in 1995 by Dr. Connie Austin. She is currently preparing the second survey which we expect to be distributed later this year. We would like to encourage international participation in this survey. Sharing information is one of the objectives and goals of the Whippet Health Foundation, Inc. Several years ago we realized there was a potential of doing much more. After seeing what other clubs had done to develop genetic testing to screen breeding stock for harmful genetic defects, I proposed to the American Whippet Club that a Foundation be created for such a purpose. The American Whippet Club Board of Directors approved the concept and establishment of a Whippet Health Foundation at it’s April 1997 meeting. It was anticipated that the primary purpose of the Whippet Health Foundation would be to investigate Whippet health problems with the expectation of funding research into their causes and possible cures. The first official meeting of the Whippet Health Foundation was held in San Diego, California in April 1998. By the end of 1998, the Mission Statement, By-Laws and organization guidelines were approved. In late 1998, the Whippet Health Foundation became incorporated in the State of Wisconsin and a Federal Employer Identification Number was assigned. On April 13, 1999 the Whippet Health Foundation,
Inc. conducted both an open meeting and annual Board of Directors meeting in conjunction The Whippet Health Foundation, Inc. will be very proactive in health issues. 1999 was the first year a Brain Auditory Evoked Response (otherwise Dr. James Schoster, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted an eye clinic at the 1999 National Specialty. 108 Whippets were examined. Dr. George Strain, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted the Brain Auditory Evoked Response (or BAER) hearing clinic. 59 Whippets were evaluated by Dr. Strain and all hadbilateral hearing. However, until a large number of Whippets are tested, it is impossible to know how widespread deafness is in the Whippet. We are standing at the edge of a new century and a new era in health research. The study of genetics holds great promise for canine health research, both in primary prevention through planned breeding programs and in therapeutics, where it may be possible to treat diseases through gene therapy. Already, funded research by other organizations has led to breakthrough discoveries expected to eventually wipe out canine diseases like von Willebrand’s disease. Thanks to research funded by the Basenji endowment, a test for the deadly disease hemolytic anemia in the Basenji was developed. That genetic bomb has all but been diffused. Worldwide research is unlocking the secrets of canine genetics--identifying the genes that cause inherited diseases--as well as exploring causes and cures for medical conditions affecting all dogs. This research will also help in the battle against human diseases. Medical research is expensive and only through your tax deductible financial assistance can science find a way to better understand, prevent, cure and control the diseases that affect our breed. With the exchange and importation of bloodlines worldwide, diseases are not just a problem of Whippets in one country, but a problem shared by the entire breed everywhere. You can help by sending a donation to celebrate a special show win, to honor a friend or pet, in memory of a cherished friend, a portion of a stud fee or puppy sale, remember us in your will, the opportunities are endless. All donations are tax deductible and will be acknowledged. The future of the Whippet Health Foundation,Inc. in the next century will depend upon financial
support from individuals, dog-related organizations Thank you very much. Whippet Health Foundation, Inc.
MSBIS Am/Can Ch TIVIOS ALLURE The past year brought many changes to us at Tivio. The best was the addition of our daughter, Caroline (we needed another handler). This, unfortunately, meant that we were not able to attend as many dog shows. However, Allie won another Specialty Best-In-Show (WWWA) and her daughter, Tivio’s Soirée, went RWB the same day, at just 8 months of age. We also completed the Championships of several other Tivio dogs which enabled Zoey, Ch. Tivio’s Sagehill Dancer, to earn her ROM. We look forward to seeing many of you at the shows in 2000. Sun Run
Ch. Sun Run’s MVP ~ Entering into the new millennium, we are still focused on sound, JP & Sally deBeque Smith ~ 250 WCR 3 ~ Erie Colorado 80516
“The dog was created specially for children.
Ch. Sun Run’s Courtside Chaos
Eclipse . . . est. 1987
Can BISS Eclipse Sporting Chance
wheatland
~ Kamada ~
BIS Ch. Kamada Beyond The Flame
~ Kamada ~
~ Kamada ~
(Am/BISCan.Ch. Kamada Krossfire, SC x Ch. Kamada Wings Of A Dove, JC)
~ Kamada ~
(Ch. Drarig’s Kamada Konnection x Ch. Kamada Metallica)
Hycks H. Cherché Sir Lancelot
Pictured here being handled by his co-owner/co-breeder Crystal McNulty HyxH Cherché Lady of the Lake, FCh, JC
Lake is shown here going Best in Sweeps at the Midwest AWC Supported Entry
Breeders / Owners God Speed . . . my dear friend
April 15, 1985 – May 29, 1999
Seafire...........................................1999
NSBIS, SBIS Ch. Merci Isle Burncoat Babylon, SC Not one to rest on his laurels, Kestrel came out of retirement to compete as a veteran for the first time. 1999 American Whippet Club National Specialty Kestrel’s new found love is racing which he began as a veteran. He shows an excitement and enthusiasm I’ve never before seen in him. He runs Grade C/D and can still beat dogs a fraction of his age. SEAFIRE Seafire...........................................1999
Seafire Spectrum of Light 1999 Highlights Jean Krikorian 88 North End Road Townsend, MA 01469
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