Page 242 - ShowSight - December 2019

Julia Foster continued
talked to and asked questions when I didn’t understand something. I am still asking questions and learning.
Do I breed? I am able to continue breeding with some wonderful co-owners.
Do I like to stick to any particular breed or group? I like to show all breeds and learn about those individual breeds. I specialize in Working and Herding breeds.
How do I travel to shows and how many do I attend in the aver- age year? I LOVE outdoor shows and am sad that so many shows have moved indoors. I travel in an RV and keep the dogs with me in the evenings. I find this way is the most convenient for me as I am on the road approximately 47 weeks a year.
The best thing about being a professional handler? Not sitting at a desk all day and punching a time clock. I love taking a new dog and teaching it. Watching a dog “get it” brings the biggest smile to my heart.
The toughest part about being a professional handler? You have NO life. Missing the family part of life is the hardest for me. Self employment has its own down side in any field.
Is my family involved? Without my family at home I’d have a hard time doing my job, so in that respect, yes, they are very involved. Everyone in my family loves animals and now my mom shows chickens instead of dogs.
Am I involved with an all-breed club and held positions with- in the club? I am a member of Jefferson County KC, GSDCA, and Greater Cincinnati Rottweiler Club. I have held positions in the past.
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier? The parking, or lack of, has been an issue this year. Entries are down so the clubs charge for RV parking to help with costs in very dirty lots with no electric or water available. I try to avoid those shows which decreas- es their entries even more. If there are no facilities available they should reconsider their parking fees.
What can Clubs do to make handlers want to enter? I realize most clubs have a hard time finding venues for shows but the venues need to work with the clubs and exhibitors better.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? At Waukesha one year when the judge wasn’t looking someone snuck into the group ring and lined up for judges examination in a cow costume.
It seems like the judges used to joke with exhibitors more but in today’s society people are too sensitive and have lost their sense of humor. Dog shows should be fun for everyone.
DIEGO GARCIA
We live in Lillington, North Carolina. How I got started in dogs? My parents breed Boxers. they start at the 80.
I love dogs; I remember when I was young coming back from school I always stopped at a pet shop and veterinarian and to see all the dogs, I remember they let me help and walk dogs—I was in heaven.
One day my father wants us to go to a dog show, it was a big show down in Argentina, and that was it, we showed a plain brindle Boxer. I remember like it was yesterday, she took third in the class and let me tell you, we were so, so happy on our way home after the show—we couldn’t stop talking about the dog show for hours. I knew that it will be my life.
I had the honor and privilege to observe and learn by watching and listening from so many great handlers—it’s a process that you never stop learning.
I love to watch the handlers when they show! We don’t breed dogs these days but I love to show dogs if I can in all the groups!
We travel in our motorhome; we normally carry six or seven dogs and we do around 160 shows a year. I love outdoors shows and the time that I spend with our dogs is priceless—love to see them every day. The process to becoming show dogs is magic.
We don’t belong to any club but it’s something that we have in mind for the future.
HEIDI GERVAIS
My website is Heidigervais.com. I live in Cobble Hill, British Columbia on beautiful Vancouver Island, Canada.
How I got started in dogs? My parents bought an Irish Setter because they were good with children (I have two sisters) and mom decided she wanted to breed. Her first litter was in 1976 when I was ten years old. I loved staying home from school and helping her whelp the litters and started “skipping school” to go to dog shows with her. My dad wasn’t that big of a supporter of the “skipping school” because he was a teacher!
What made me know that this was where I belonged? I worked as an assistant for 12 years and then decided to get a “real job”. I went to computer school and got a job at a High Tech company. After working there for six years and only doing shows on weekends (dubbed a Weekend Warrior)—I knew I wanted to do this full time.
Who were my mentors? As far as handling, Taffe McFadden when she lived in Canada. I worked for her when I was in high school until I graduated and she left and went to California. I then went to Connecticut and worked for Elliot and the late Linda More. In breeding dogs—my Mom, Valerie Gervais (Kulana Irish Set- ters), Lynne Bruce (Hollyrood Scottish Deerhounds), Tim Ufkes (Cuchulain IWS) and recently Donna and Mike Beadle (Eclipse Berger Picards).
Do you breed? My mom and I breed Irish Setters and I co-breed Scottish Deerhounds, Berger Picards, Irish Water Spaniels with my mentors mentioned above and have co-bred a litter of Smooth Fox Terriers.
Do I like to stick to any particular breed or group? I love variety as you can tell by the breeds I’ve bred!
How do I travel to shows and how many do I attend in the aver- age year? I just bought a new Dodge Promaster van (LOVE IT) and hotel during the winter. In the summer I rent RVs so I can stay on the grounds with my dogs. I do approximately three weekends a month. I love outdoors especially shows in the rain where I can put on my Patriots baseball cap and boots!
What the best thing about being a professional handler? The dogs—as everyone knows I love my dogs! My sister who works in an office always messages me on a beautiful sunny day—“Good Day to be a Dog Handler”. She knows the dogs and I will be heading to the beach!
The toughest part about being a professional handler? I would say the driving even with my new van. I show mainly large dogs so there is no option for me getting on a plane to go from show to show. If I won the lottery I would hire a professional driver or buy a private jet!
Is my family involved? We have been involved in dogs all my life which I’m very thankful for as I’ve always had the support to do what I love. My mom Valerie Gervais is an All Breed judge.
Am I involved with an all-breed club and held positions within the club? I am the Vice President of the Tyee Kennel Club on Van- couver Island and the President of Sporting Dog Club of BC. I am a life member of the CKC and the Tyee Kennel Club. I am also a member of the SDCA, IWSCA and ISCA. This year I am in charge of Merchandise for the SDCA National.
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier? This question bothers me as I work for non-profit kennel clubs. We give money
238 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019
Professional HandlerQ & A