2010 ADBA Scholarship Winner
Plans For Career – Where do you hope to be in ten (10) years?
Within the next 10 years I hope to have successfully completed graduate school with a Masters of
Science in Administration with specializations in public administration as well as acquisition and contract
management, to be near completion of my Doctorate of Public Affairs, and possibly entertain the idea of
law school with a primary focus on contracts or criminal law. It is my intent to make a difference in
society as it pertains to the American Pit Bull Terrier through constructive methods of addressing
currently laws, ordinances, and prejudices owners face with insurance companies. With degrees in these
areas I will be able to better understand the workings of public agencies (of which I currently work for
now) and promote alternate methods to responsible ownership that does not include Breed Specific
Legislation.
With regards to the breed; I hope to have championed out more of my wonderful APBTS as ADBSI
champions and eventually have my first, but not last, ACE weight pull titled APBT. I am a huge supporter
of health testing within the breed and have currently started health testing my APBTs through the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. My dogs can be found on the OFA site for hips, elbows, patellas,
and cardiac. I have one that has been CERF tested and another non-APBT rescue that has had hips
examined by means of PennHIP. It is my goal that within 10 years all of my APBTs are fully health tested
and the offspring thereof that I own are as well.
My experience with American Pit Bull Terriers started back in 1999 when I started attending shows to
support my boyfriend’s brother; who at the time was showing his APBT Fowler’s Tank. At first I was
scared to death of the breed but it didn’t take long once around them to realize how truly magnificent
they are and how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to meet one for myself as opposed to falling
victim to the media hype.
It was not long after that when my boyfriend and I got our first APBT; a son of Tank. Unfortunately,
before he came home, our puppy lost his life to parvo while at my boyfriend’s brother’s house. I waited
until 2002 before purchasing an APBT. I spent from 1999 until January 2002 researching various
bloodlines, attending shows (sadly without a dog to show), and talking with individuals throughout the
country who helped guide me in the right direction. In 2002 I purchased my first APBT and started
showing him as soon as he was of age. Our first show that I can recall was in Murfreesboro, TN where I
drove from Florida; just Beaner and I. We didn’t excel in the show ring at that time but I learned a lot
and I was definitely hooked on showing. I later travelled to the GA ADBA show, same year 2002, where I
recall taking at least a third and Mr. Abel Santillan offering me advise and suggestions so that we could
do better at the next show. I have since attended numerous shows across the US (New Jersey,
Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.)
I have titled four APBTs to Champion (Beaner, Mrs. Bulldog, Narnia, and EI CUco) with many others ADBA
pointed. I could have titled more but once they lose interest in the show ring I don’t force them to show
any longer. It should always be as much fun for the dog as it is for me. Two of my APBTs have their AKC
Canine Good Citizen certificate with more well on their way and one currently training to test as a
therapy dog.
Lastly, I have had the pleasure of being a member of the Mid-Florida American Pit Bull Terrier
Association and currently a Board Member of the Sunshine State Club, which is trying diligently to
become active again. As a member of Mid-Florida American Pit Bull Terrier Association I have had the
privilege of judging fun shows and helping others get started in showing dogs.
I have been involved with the Mid-Florida APBT Association for a number of years and more recently
have taken on the role (as previously mentioned) as a board member of the Sunshine State APBT Club
here in Florida.
I was involved with the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency (FCCD) from 2004 until 2009. Through
the FCCD I was active in numerous food and toy drives for the community as well as putting together
events for the children and elderly in the community; passing out Halloween candy and gathering
diabetic socks and no sugar added candy for the local nursing home. In addition the FCCD assisted me in
starting a toy and blanket drive for the local animal shelters in 2007. I was able to bring 4 car loads to
each the local humane society and the local government ran animal shelter.
Other community activities include the dogs and I walking in the American Heart Association walks,
Alzheimer’s Memory and Awareness walk, and the Relay for Life walk (though the dogs were unable to
join me for the Relay for Life walk).
I feel that I should be a viable candidate for the ADBA Scholarship due to my love for the breed and hard
work that my dogs and I continue to put forth to protect “bull breeds” from BSL while continuing to
show the breed in a positive light both at ADBSI events and during our day to day activities.
I have no doubt that there are a number of other exceptional candidates applying for the scholarship
and the decision will not be an easy one. I hope to have set not only myself apart but my dogs apart
from the competition through competing in both conformation and working events, AKC Canine Good
Citizen testing, health testing, and promoting responsible ownership while giving back to the
community.
