|
Certificate of Appreciation: These are available for award to anyone who has done any type of work for which the Club should express special appreciation.
|
Special Certificate of Appreciation – Beth O’Connor (Past President)
Beth O’Connor was elected to the LCA Board of Directors in 2000. She served with distinction as vice president in 2001-2002, and has also served with distinction as president from 2002 to 2006. The era of her presidency has been marked by challenges for the LCA that arguably exceed even the challenges faced by the founders in creating the Club. Through it all, she has led by example, treated others as she would wish to be treated, and has been an exemplary representative and champion for the Leonberger breed, as well as for the LCA. For her extraordinary efforts, the LCA Board of Directors awards Beth this Special Certificate of Appreciation.
Certificates of Appreciation - LeoLetter Committee:
The LeoLetter Committee members have worked hard to apply existing skills and learn new skills. They have volunteered countless and unheralded hours of time to proofreading, editing, tracking down accurate spellings of kennel names (including umlauts!). This team embodies the spirit of the LCA, the tradition of excellence in the LeoLetter, and the lengths that true Leo lovers are willing to go to out of devotion to the breed and the Club. Certificates read: With love and appreciation for your work on the Next Generation LeoLetter, for successfully maintaining high standards in production and composition, and for your dedication to entertaining and informing the membership of the Leonberger Club of America.
Caryl Thompson, Sharon Betts, Vonnie Matheny, Val Beard, Laura Morgan, Tobi Smith, Janet Diersen, Anne Robinson, Missy St. Pierre-Sands, Pat McDaniel, Nancy Leong, Reni Dougherty
Richie Moulthrop (Committee chair, stud dogs editor, obituary support) With love and appreciation for successfully assembling and managing the Next Generation LeoLetter staff, for encouraging creative thinking, love for the Leonberger breed, and for maintaining excellence in the LeoLetter.
Certificate of Appreciation - Ember Sebastian:
Ember started off by mailing to the LCA Members’ List to see if we were going to be doing an information booth at the Novi Pet Expo late last year. Little did she know what she was in for! With a little encouragement, Ember took on, organized, and pushed through with the LCA’s program for developing breed information booths for expos, shows, and other events. She worked well with others (including regional clubs) to prepare pamphlets, create a booth design, and make posters. Without Ember’s efforts we would not have a nationwide breed information booth program today!
Certificates of Appreciation - Health, Research, and Education Committee:
In recognition of the countless hours you have given to improving the health of the Leonberger breed, consulting with owners of dogs with health conditions and other health related issues. Your dedication is appreciated. Accordingly, the LCA awards Certificates of Appreciation to the following HREC members:
Ginny Bartholomay, Cindy Atwood, DVM, Judy Johnston, Waltraut Zieher, Nancy Abel, Sandy Love, Missy St. Pierre–Sands, Liz Coleman
|
|
Leo Award: The Leo Award is available for award to persons who have done exceptional work for the breed and/or the Club in a given year. It can be awarded for a particularly well done individual project, or for more generally applied excellence.
|
Leo Award – Kristin Bloink, DVM
Kristin and her husband, Michael, have been devoted members of the LCA since 2003. Kristin quickly volunteered for the LCA Health Research and Education Committee. As a US Military Veterinarian, Kristin has an exceptional degree of education, training, and experience in the field of animal health. In the past year in particular she has generously donated her time, and spent her own money, to help draw blood for cancer research at regional shows around the country, as well as at the LCA National Specialty in Austin. Kristin had planned to further share her knowledge directly with the LCA membership via a seminar on canine first aid at the LCA National Specialty in Coeur d’Alene. However, in January we were unexpectedly reminded of how she is both a precious commodity for our Club, and also our country, when she was called up for service in Iraq. It is anticipated that at the time of the 2006 National Specialty she will likely be on the east coast of the United States waiting to ship out to northern Iraq. Kristin is a devoted Leo lover, veterinarian, and LCA member. She has demonstrated her devotion as noted above, but also in ways too numerous to list. Kristin has done exceptional work in helping to improve the health of our beloved Leonbergers during the past year, and the LCA is fortunate, indeed, that she is willing to share her skills so generously. Accordingly, the LCA is pleased to award Kristin the Leo Award.
Leo Award – Dianna Parish (LeoLetter editor in chief, design and production)
Dianna has generously devoted her time, patience, sense of style, perfectionism, and love for all things Leo to the complete reinvention of the LeoLetter. As editor-in-chief she has successfully led a diverse team of Leo lovers through challenges it’s fair to say none of them anticipated when they originally volunteered to participate shortly after the 2005 LCA National Specialty in Austin. She has kept the team focused, together, and on task, and they continue to evolve as a team that will make us all very proud of our primary Club publication for years to come.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Heinrich Essig Award (HEA): This is the LCA’s most prestigious honor, and was first awarded to the founders in 1994. The HEA is given for the highest standard of dedication and achievement on behalf of the breed and/or the Club over a number of years. Past winners are: Mary & Reiner Decher (’94), Waltraut & Klaus Zieher (’94), Manfred & Sylvia Kaufman (’94), Keri Campbell (’94), Melanie Brown (’94), Yves Parent (’94), Brian Peters (’94), Caroline Isberg (’97), Jim & Marlene Stuteville (’98), Guido Perosino (’99), Carol Lewis (’01), Glen Ferguson (’02), Martha Kalina (’03), and Linda Mullins Spirio (’03).
|
Heinrich Essig Award – John McRae
John and Coach’s first LCA National Specialty was Seaside, Oregon, in 2000. Everyone who met them was immediately impressed by the rapport they shared. Even more impressive was John’s push in 2001 for the Club to get recognition for therapy Leos; something that did not exist at that time. He would talk to anyone who would listen, and kept up the effort and the pressure until finally, in 2002, the LCA adopted the Therapy Program created by John and his merry band of supporters. Though he had help and support from others, there is no doubt that without John’s drive and determination it would have been many years before the LCA had a Therapy Award Program, if ever! Sadly, John’s beloved Coach passed away this past year. However, together they proved the versatility of the Leonberger. More importantly, together they brought light into the lives of people who really needed it, and they have been an inspiration to everyone in the Leo world to get out there and make their dreams for the breed come true. Since its founding, John has administered the Therapy Award Program for the LCA, and he continues to be a force for good, both for the breed and the Club. His exceptional energy, enthusiasm, and love for the breed are a model of the highest standard of dedication on behalf of both the breed and the LCA, and exemplifies the qualifications necessary for award of the LCA’s highest honor, the Heinrich Essig Award. Accordingly, is proud to award John McRae for the HEA.
|
Heinrich Essig Award – Ute Jung
Ute Jung, daughter of founder Waltraut Zieher, virtually grew up in the LCA. She eventually became a Veterinarian, and expressed her love for Leos by using her knowledge and expertise to try to work out the puzzles presented by health issues that face our breed. Sadly, Ute and her daughter Sevi were killed in a car accident while traveling to the LCA National Specialty in Austin last year. For those of us who were there, especially those who knew Ute and Sevi, our hearts still ache. For those who did not know Ute, the following is a short summary of just a few of her good works for the LCA during her all-to-short lifetime:
1. Upon compilation of the Health Survey results, Ute analyzed the data and put it in an understandable format (Leoletter-ready) and explained the relevance of that information to our breeding program. (For the First Survey, Geeske did stats for the 2nd one).
2. Attended professional health seminars on behalf of the LCA where she would consult with experts on Leonberger health issues (i.e. Cancer Seminar in Keystone, OFA Seminar in Albuquerque, Breeding Seminar at Cornell, etc.).
3. Never hesitated to call geneticists, health and veterinary experts across the country (and the world) to pursue any questions the Breeding and Health Committees might have to help keep the LCA breeding program on track to breed away from disease.
4. Helped with the development of our VCL/BACL program.
5. Made her home available each year for the annual Health, Research and Education Committee meeting.
6. Helped assess researchers and their programs for LHF grants.
7. Occasionally contributed articles on pertinent health topics for the Leoletter.
8. She was owned and loved by a Leonberger named Malefitz.
9. Whenever anybody called Waltraut on a health issue, she would often, in turn, consult with Ute. She was Waltraut's (and thus the LCA's) 24/7 health consultant.
10. She was always willing to pitch in on any task that needed doing. For example, with Sevi tucked under one arm, she stayed late the night before the show to help roll out the mats for the National Specialty at the YMCA of the Rockies in 1999.
She never asked for anything in return and we never had the opportunity to give her appropriate thanks. For a life dedicated to the LCA, the LHF, and Leos everywhere the LCA proudly presents this Heinrich Essig Award to Ute’s mother, Waltraut Zieher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
