The Foundation at Dog Shows and Specialties: How you Can Help Catherine Bell,  Second Vice President AKC Canine Health Foundation

Summary:

Since its inception in 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation has been working to increase awareness of canine health issues and what can be done to improve canine health. One of the ways the Foundation does this is through direct contact with clubs, breeders, exhibitors, and dog show attendees.

The Foundation has taken time in the last five years to visit different shows across the country, both all-breed and specialty, to let the Fancy and the public know what they can do to help. In the last two years, the Foundation has been asked to attend more shows than its staff can accommodate and has had to rely on volunteers. These volunteers attend the shows, passing out literature, explaining programs, selling t-shirts and generally getting the word out. The more people that know about the work of the Foundation, the more successful the programs will be.

Biographical Profile

Catherine Bell is a resident of Knoxville, TN. She received a degree from the University of Tennessee School of Anesthesia and after working in the field for many, years, has recently retired.

Mrs. Bell bred her first litter of German Shepherd Dogs in 1979, but by 1981 had developed a passion for the Akita. She has been an AKC Delegate from the Tennessee Valley Kennel Club since 1986 and has served on the club's By-Laws Committee as well as being Show Chair from 1983 to 1995. As a Delegate, Mrs. Bell was appointed Chair of the Nominating Committee for the AKC Board of Directors in 1996. She spent ten years as the National Specialty Show Coordinator for the Akita Club of America, and has served two terms on its Board of Directors. An approved AKC judge for the working breeds, Mrs. Bell is also on the Board of Directors for the AKC Canine Health Foundation, and was elected Second Vice President in March 1999.