Poodle Variety Magazine January-March 2025 - January – March 2025

“Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” Victor Hugo

This year marks the 11th year since the development of the Poodle Club of America Junior Education Program. Come with me, back to 2014, and learn about the inception of an idea.

Maryellen Fischler and Gina Wieser both grew up in dogs and the sport of dogs. They had lived our history and they had an expectation of what could be. Their shared passion offered insight which shaped an idea centered around the importance of focusing on The Future. The Future of the fancy, of the Poodle breed. The Future of animals and of their conscientious care. The Future of ethical community, humanity and sportsmanship. Gina and Maryellen spearheaded the concept of an education program for all Poodle Club of America Juniors. It was a great idea whose time had come so the Poodle Club of America Junior Education Committee was formed.

And there were those willing to work hard enough to bring the idea to life. Tabatha Waters joined Gina and Maryellen and with a supportive PCA Board of Directors and a handful of enthusiastic volunteers, the first PCA Junior Education Committee went to work. Since inception, the committee has focused on supporting Juniors in all disciplines and providing educational opportunities and financial support to Poodle Juniors in their disciplines. The first PCA Junior Education Booth was set up at the 2014 Poodle Club of America National Specialty. Along with the booth there were events created specifically for Juniors and the first fundraising to support the program.

Mission Statement of the PCA Junior Education Program: “Foster and reward youth participation, teach ethics in animal care, handling, and training practices, encourage young people to become actively involved in the sport, instill good sportsmanship, generate pride in accomplishments earned.”

Who knew that throughout its development and subsequent growth, the PCA Junior Education Program would be so wonderfully supported and in turn create so much fun for everyone involved, both the Juniors and the volunteers.

In 2014, the first pizza was consumed. Clarification. The first pizza was consumed at the PCA National’s Junior Educational Luncheon. Through the years, there’s been a LOT of pizza eaten and serving after serving of enriching information shared. An explanation of Hunt Trials and how they work was shared by Joyce Carelli. Gina Wieser taught a full Judge’s Education Course and then participating Juniors judged a class and offered their critiques and placement. Linda Tilka introduced our Juniors to Ring Steward Practices and then worked with Junior volunteers in the big ring – during the National! Bill McFadden shared his life experiences as a professional handler. Edmund Dzuik talked about the different professions in dogs and MariBeth O’Neil outlined the structure of AKC and discussed purpose, openly answering all questions the Juniors asked. Terry Myers led a class in hands-on grooming techniques. We’ve certified in Pet CPR and learned as competitors what to wear and what not to wear. We’ve discussed breed history and spent time immersed in the theories and techniques of animal husbandry and breed knowledge and the ethics of professional handlers. Some of the best handlers in our breed have taught the Hands-On Clinic “on the grass” and willingly sharing with Juniors their trade secrets. It’s important to address the world beyond the breed and fancy and our luncheons have included those topics as well. Patty Proctor discussed social media and responsibilities for sharing (and over sharing!) and others have led fun sessions on etiquette and social interaction. AKC AOJ competitors explained how important it is to embrace other cultures when traveling and offered some travel tips to those younger who hope to see the world.

Through events and activities scheduled by the PCA Junior Education Committee during the Poodle National Specialty, our Juniors have access to icons of the fancy and their knowledge. They have access to new and unique learning experiences and are gifted (as the committee is generously supported by manufacturers and vendors and individuals who donate) with grooming tools and smocks and towels and coolers and leads. Every donor, every volunteer and every speaker believe Juniors are our Future and are worth the investment.

The Anne Rogers Clark Junior Stipend is offered to all qualifying Juniors for 4 major events throughout each year. We believe it’s critical that the younger generation is educated about those who shaped the fancy. To do that, a stipend was created that honors an icon of the fancy and of Poodle history. The ARC Junior Stipend allows the PCA Junior Education Committee to insert history into today. Given to Juniors only, it’s offered to help offset the costs incurred attending any or all of the designated competitions. At its creation, the ARC Junior Stipend was $350.

Throughout the years, those “realizing the idea” have given to the PCA Junior Education Program Silent Auction each year. It’s one of the keys of the program’s fundraising. The silent auction features uniquely Poodle items and one-of-a-kind treasures that attract a crowd. The other fundraising key is the PCA Junior Education 50/50 raffle. Year after year attendees at the PCA National Specialty take a chance for all the right reasons. Thanks to them, as of 2024 the Anne Rogers Clark Junior Stipend now pays $750 to EVERY qualified applicant.

Visit PCA Junior Showmanship Program - The Poodle Club of America at https://Poodleclubofamerica.org/junior-showmanship-program-2/ for an in-depth review of the ARC Junior Stipend.

With our mission to nurture knowledge, there’s a library. Not a room to sit in and read and work quietly, but a library that is a collection of books and resources for Juniors who want to read, review and learn. The Poodle Reference Library received its first donations in 2014. You might think that all these years later the Poodle Reference Library fills multiple rooms as every year at the National Specialty donations by PCA members and fanciers and those who embrace the idea stack up. Issues of Poodle Review and Poodle Variety magazines and Del Dahl’s The Complete Poodle, fun books and old books and new books and journals are dropped off at the PCA Junior Education booth. But, by the time Friday arrives and the goodbyes are said, Juniors (and Peewees, too) have freely taken any item that interests them, and there’s very little to store for next year.

The PCA Junior Education Program continues to develop. The Committee has grown. Judy Cooksey and Nancy Laurent joined Gina and Tabatha on the committee and Debby DuBay stepped in as the AKC Junior Companion Dog Liaison. We seek to search out new, enriching activities and to stay on top of current social concerns for our Juniors. As of 2024, the Stewards of Children – Darkness to Light courses, are mandatory for the PCA Junior Education Committee members. Steps have also been taken that require all “hands-on” volunteers to take the training. The requirement for the committee is extended as a request to the parents and guardians of our juniors. It is important to reach our community and secure their involvement and support. Continued presence and top of mind for our Juniors is mission critical. New ideas are welcome and there are open opportunities for those who want to donate time and resources.

To all who have supported the PCA Junior Education Program, you know who you are. We are thankful.