Page 100 - ShowSight, March 2020

LINES FROM LINDA: BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR
Top (left to right): Eric and Carissa married in 2007. Carissa, Annabella and Tristan. Caleb, Annabella and Tristan Shimpeno.
Bottom: Following in her Mother’s footsteps enjoying the Pee Wee Class, Judge Bill Shelton. Proud Mom with Pee Wee Annabella and Judge Anthony DiNardo
Being that Junior Showmanship played such an important part in her life, Carissa is continually giving back. She runs the Juniors program for the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. Her fundraising efforts for Juniors have reached over $50,000.00 to support scholarships and expenses for the kids. Her group also has a handling seminar for the youth during their DPCA National Specialty taught by the top Doberman handlers in the country. Caris- sa is investing her time in the future of the sport that has meant so much to her family.
Carissa’s greatest achievements; however, come from sharing her life with her best friend, Eric Shimpeno, her husband of 12 years, and their three amaz- ing children, Tristan 8, Annabella 6 and Caleb18 months! Aren’t we all look- ing forward to enjoying the future accomplishments of this fourth generation of AKC Stars of Tomorrow!
In a telephone conversation tonight with my friend, Doberman Breeder and AKC Judge, Robert L. Vandiver, he had this to say, “Carissa learned her han- dling techniques from the best, her Mother, Gwen DeMilta. Carissa is more than a skilled handler. She is a true dog person who is totally involved in all aspects of the sport from breeding, puppy selection, conditioning, to training her dogs to compete at the highest levels. She has another talent unseen by most. I watched her judge the Futurity Stakes at the Doberman National Spe- cialty last year. She managed the large entry ring as if it was second nature. Her selections were worthy of any of the old Dobe pro specialists. Here’s hoping that someday she will join the judging community so that she can share those talents more broadly.”
Members of the AKC Registered Handlers Program are held to a higher standard through a Code of Ethics, meeting requirements for years of experi- ence, superior facilities, vehicles and equipment. The professionals on the left are members of this elite group.
To quote Carissa Shimpeno, “I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world. I get to do what I love most surrounded by my family and friends and I look forward to all the things this wonderful sport has to teach me.”
Congratulations Carissa, we are excited to share in all the exciting things you will accomplish for our sport in the years ahead!
AKC Registered Handlers
Jason Bailey
Barbara Beissel
Doug Belter
Kerry Boyd
Bryan Briley
Stephen Cabral
Kim Calvacca
Sue Cannimore Carlos Carrizo
R.C. Carusi
Paul Catterson Marianne “Tuni” Conti Geoff Dawson
Gwen DeMilta James Dickson
CJ Favre
Kaki Fisher Robert Fisher
Lisa Gallizzo Diego Garcia Rindi Gaudet Andrew Green Sara Gregware Dee Hanna
Tara Hartman Shane Hooper Lydia Hovanski Cynthia Huckfeldt Erin Karst
Laura King
Peter Kubacz Ernesto Lara Angela Lloyd Karen Mammano Sam Mammano Kelly Marquis
Emma Marshall
Lisa Miller
Kathryn Mines Roslyn Mintz
Leesa Molina
Lori Mowery
Frank Murphy Patricia Murray
Dave Musto
Kathy Musto
Mary Norton-Augustus Clark Pennypacker Matt Perchick
Sarah Perchick Adam Peterson Madeline Peterson Gabriel Rangel Ivonne Rangel Annmarie Ruggieri Lori Sargent
Tara Schultz Carissa Shimpeno Dave Slattum Valerie Stanert Cliff Steele
Hiram Stewart Greg Strong Debbie Struff Alison Sunderman Evan Threlfall Stacy Threlfall Meagan Ulfers Alissa Welling Linda Whitney Linda Williams
98 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2020