Page 150 - ShowSight - July 2019
P. 150

 AKC Legislative Conference
BY SUSAN B. THIBODEAUX continued
 amounts to influence our lawmakers—we need as a community of dog fanciers to help our side fight. One entry fee from each one of us combined would be a huge help to them in this war.
One final point. Many dog breeders and owners are scared. I had friends unfriend me on Facebook when I was fighting the ordinance and legislation because they were afraid someone would come after them. At the AKC conference, a speaker noted that we are being bullied. We, combined with the other animal groups, have numbers.
How do you stop being bullied? By standing up to them. If they don’t have the public, they don’t really have the numbers. We need to band together and fight as a group. Numbers speak.
The AKC government relations department and your club’s legislative liaisons cannot fight the hun- dreds of bills alone. We can’t change the public’s per- ception and minds alone. It will take all of us to turn the tide and take back the conversation.
The AKC government relations page has great resources for your use as well as suggestions on things you and your club can do. Go to https://www.akc.org/ clubs-delegates/government-relations/.
We couldn’t find the bus and we walked a lot of miles, but I left Washington DC feeling motivated, informed and yes, exhausted. I am very happy I attend- ed and I feel hope.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan’s first dog show was May 13, 1978. She showed Cockers and English Cockers for nearly 20 years until
a move to Florida in the 1990s, a third child and a full-time job convinced her that she wanted out of coated breeds. Earlier, in 1983, Susan was introduced to Vizslas and she finished her first Vizsla Champion
at the AKC Centennial show in 1984. Susan’s show career includes several years of showing overseas when Steve, her military husband, was stationed in Europe and they flew 8 dogs over. Highlights there for all three breeds `include FCI International and various countries’ National Championships, Best in Shows and meeting Prince Ranier’s sister when Susan’s Vizsla, Secret, won a group in Monaco.
Susan’s first champion toy was a Japanese Chin in the 1990s. When she and her husband decided to retire from Vizslas and segue into a toy breed a few years ago, they discovered Toy Fox Terriers. Susan has shown her Toy Fox Terriers to multiple specialty wins, BOS at the National Specialty three times, BOB and three BOS at the Eukanuba/Royal Canin AKC Championship Shows and many other show awards. Susan is a current member and past board member with the Central Florida Toy Fox Terrier Club and is an ATFTC board member. She is the current Judges’ Education Chair, administers the AFTFC Facebook page and is the club’s committee chair for Meet The Breeds. A current Board Director for the Brevard Kennel Club, Susan has been president and board member of an obedience club, and stewards for two stewards’ associations. She taught obedience for 25 years and still teaches handling classes. Professionally, Susan Thibodeaux is a Vice President for a government services contractor. She holds an MBA and is a Certified Federal Contracts Manager.
Halls and more halls to get to our appointments on AKC Lobby Day.
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