WEST CENTRAL
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Dede Paterson
First, I would like to say what a privilege to be asked to run for Director of the West Central region. I would be honored to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated group whose main focus is the strengthening of the role of the amateur handler/trainer through preservation of the integrity of the sport of hunting retrievers.
My journey with retrievers began in 2007, when we brought our first lab, Annie, home. She promptly chewed through our deck and outdoor air conditioner unit. As fortune would have it, our neighbor was a member of Waterloo Amateur Retriever Club. With the mentorship of club members Bob and Nancy Neipert, we were able to focus the destructive energy into a great retriever and hunting companion. Waterloo is an equal opportunity club and provided a plethora of choice volunteer options. Proficiency in blind planting, bird throwing, flyer shooting quickly transcended into Hunt Test Committee member, Hunt test secretary, volunteer coordinator, stakes marshal, Waterloo Board member, and anything/everything necessary for a successful Retriever Club.
In 2009, Wayne and I worked the Giddings Master Nation. We set the bar to one day step to the line in a Master National. Through mentoring from Waterloo club members, I was able to title my first Master dog, Louise. We qualified for the Master Nationals in 2012. Wayne and I brought the same “whatever it takes to get it done mentality” to the Master Nationals. I have served as the stakes Safety Coordinator, Corporate Sponsor Liaison, as well as bird thrower, blind planter, and gunner. We lost Louise to Torsion during the California Master National. Without a competitive dog to run, I choose to seek a way to give back to the sport I love. One that would allow me the opportunity to still work with retrievers and handlers. I began judging. Judging has been an adventure. If has afforded me the opportunity to hold the standard of the AKC as it applies to the hunt test. While setting up tests which challenge the natural abilities of the handlers and retrievers. Through this sport, Wayne and I have met some of our closest friends, family, mentors, and seen some of the finest dog work imaginable.
The Master Amateur has provided a venue which supports and promotes the role of the Amateur Trainer and handler. Stepping to the line which my fellow Amateurs has and always will be an honor and Privilege!
Dede Paterson
First, I would like to say what a privilege to be asked to run for Director of the West Central region. I would be honored to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated group whose main focus is the strengthening of the role of the amateur handler/trainer through preservation of the integrity of the sport of hunting retrievers.
My journey with retrievers began in 2007, when we brought our first lab, Annie, home. She promptly chewed through our deck and outdoor air conditioner unit. As fortune would have it, our neighbor was a member of Waterloo Amateur Retriever Club. With the mentorship of club members Bob and Nancy Neipert, we were able to focus the destructive energy into a great retriever and hunting companion. Waterloo is an equal opportunity club and provided a plethora of choice volunteer options. Proficiency in blind planting, bird throwing, flyer shooting quickly transcended into Hunt Test Committee member, Hunt test secretary, volunteer coordinator, stakes marshal, Waterloo Board member, and anything/everything necessary for a successful Retriever Club.
In 2009, Wayne and I worked the Giddings Master Nation. We set the bar to one day step to the line in a Master National. Through mentoring from Waterloo club members, I was able to title my first Master dog, Louise. We qualified for the Master Nationals in 2012. Wayne and I brought the same “whatever it takes to get it done mentality” to the Master Nationals. I have served as the stakes Safety Coordinator, Corporate Sponsor Liaison, as well as bird thrower, blind planter, and gunner. We lost Louise to Torsion during the California Master National. Without a competitive dog to run, I choose to seek a way to give back to the sport I love. One that would allow me the opportunity to still work with retrievers and handlers. I began judging. Judging has been an adventure. If has afforded me the opportunity to hold the standard of the AKC as it applies to the hunt test. While setting up tests which challenge the natural abilities of the handlers and retrievers. Through this sport, Wayne and I have met some of our closest friends, family, mentors, and seen some of the finest dog work imaginable.
The Master Amateur has provided a venue which supports and promotes the role of the Amateur Trainer and handler. Stepping to the line which my fellow Amateurs has and always will be an honor and Privilege!
Dede Paterson