ISSDC Fall Specialty A Howl-in Success

The ISSDC Fall Specialty was held the weekend of October 31/November 1 in Yorktown Heights, NY. Not only were there two conformation dog shows, but also a Rally-O/Agility Fun Run, Temperament Testing, a Scavenger Hunt, Raffle as well as CGC/TDI testing!

Albeit rainy on Saturday, we all persevered and overall it was a weekend of enjoying time with our Shiloh's and some old, and new, friends!!!! There was quite a turnout from the SE Region as well as Shilohs from the North East and Ontario Regions.

Saturday Results from the Conformation Match:
Winners Dog (WD) - Argus (Elvis/Arabella), Reserve Winners Dog (RWD) - Strider (Gunner/Stacia), Winners Bitch (WB) - Ty (Thunder/Frances), Reserve Winners Bitch (RWB) - Shiraz (Elvis/Keelie), Best of Winners (BOW) - Argus (Elvis/Arabella), Best of Opposite (BOS) - Ty (Thunder/Frances), Best in Specialty - Kodiak (Malachi/Mia), Best Jr. Puppy in Specialty - Argus (Elvis/Arabella), Best Puppy in Specialty - Joker (Kilian/Karly), Best Progeny in Special - Keelie (Boz/Chloe), Best Companion in Special - Bailey (Kit/Venus)

Sunday Results from the Conformation Match
Winners Dog - Argus (Elvis/Arabella), Reserve Winners Dog - Strider (Gunner/Stacia), Winners Bitch - Ty (Thunder/Frances), Reserve Winners Bitch - Shiraz (Elvis/Keelie), Best of Winners - Ty (Thunder/Frances), Best Of Opposite - Malibu (Malachi/Mia), Best in Specialty - Kodiak (Malachi/Mia), Best Puppy in Specialty - Grace (Quinn/Ember), Best Progeny in Special - Keelie (Boz/Chloe), Best Companion in Special - Bailey (Kit/Venus).

Dogs participating in the Rally-O/Agility Fun Match were presented with ribbons, medals and all dogs participating in the Scavenger Hunt also received ribbons, as well as the treats they were searching for!

On another high note we had several Shilohs also earn their TDI certifications and pass Temperament Testing ... what a wonderful accomplishment. Congratulations to Bailey, Kodiak, Wolf, Adirondack, Koda and Argus for earning their TDI cerficiations. And also Congratulations to Koda, Strider, Vito, Shiraz, Argus and baby Joker (who aced the test but is too young to be officially certified) on passing their Temperament Tests (TT)!

Congratulations to everyone and we hope a good time was had by all! Thanks to all who helped put on a fun Fall Specialty Weekend!

Cooper Hospital names Shiloh Shepherd Tylor 2008 Therapy Animal of the Year

We want to send out a big CONGRATULATIONS to Tylor Brenner on being selected the 2008 Therapy Animal of the Year at Cooper University Hospital in NJ. This is the first Pet Therapy Award given by Cooper Hospital and Planetree Organization.

The award given to Ellen and Tylor to commemorate their efforts at Cooper Hospital. Photo courtesy of Beloved Shilohs.

Barb McCarty, Head of the Child Life Department, introduced Tylor and Ellen at the award ceremony held in early October. Ellen has volunteered at Cooper for many years and started the Pet Therapy program at Cooper in 1997 with her dog, Julie. Tylor and Ellen visit Cooper Hospital every other week to make their rounds. Ellen says that "Tylor, the gentle giant, loves everyone he meets and basks in the attention he receives from staff, patients and parents. He can work a crowd, making sure that no one has missed an opportunity to love him."

Tylor doing some of his best work, a picture is worth a thousand words. Photo courtesy of Beloved Shilohs.

Ellen shares she was very nervous having to give a speech to such a large crowd of people. But, somehow, talking about her boy made it easier and she was able to provide some anecdotes of Tylor's therapy adventures. Ellen admits she was fidgeting and swinging her arm back and forth; with no cajoling Tylor put his paw up to touch her hand, "You should have heard the collective "ahhhhhhhhh" in the audience," shared Ellen.

Ellen was so honored and excited by the support she and Tylor received at the award ceremony. All the people from the Child Life Department came to support them, as did many people from the hospital who came out when they heard Ty was going to be honored. "Tylor was outstanding and showed off his stuff and why he's amazing at what he does," says Ellen. "It was an outstanding experience, one I will never forget."

Tylor and Ellen visiting with an appreciative patient at Cooper Hospital in NJ. Photo courtesy of Beloved Shilohs.

Ty, Beloved BT Tylor of Shenandoah, calls Beloved Shilohs home and is owned by ISSDC NE members Ellen and Murray Brenner. Tylor was bred by Shenandoah Shilohs and is from the Kota/Trinka litter born on Valentine's Day 2004.

Tylor at 19 months old in September 2005. Photo courtesy of Heather Yates, Candid Paws.

I admit I'm biased; Tylor and Ellen are part of my Shiloh family as my Hamish is Tylor's brother, but we are so proud of Tylor and Ellen regardless. She, and Ty, have given so freely of themselves to bring a bright spot to those in some unfortunate circumstances. We wish them many more honors, but we also know they would do therapy work without any accolades as long as it was helping someone.

Congratulations to a great team!

A Hall of Famer

Congratulations go out to Takoda — Supreme Grand Champion arbCH Tantaras Takoda Cloud Dancing, CGC, TDI — who was recently awarded the New Jersey Veterinary Animal Hall of Fame award. What an amazing achievement for Takoda, a five year old Shiloh Shepherd, and his owners Cindy & Ken Schleifer of New Jersey. Takoda was nominated for the award by his vet — who calls him an "ambassador of goodwill" — and earned it with all of the hard work Cindy and Takoda have done. As a team they have volunteered countless hours of their time, doing 2-4 therapy visit sessions a week since 2006.

Takoda, with Cindy above, posing with his Hall of Fame award. Photo courtesy of Cindy Schleifer.

Takoda has excelled in other areas, Takoda was one of the top dogs in the rare breed show ring when he was actively showing, achieving the #3 Top Rare Breed Dog [of all dogs showing with Rarities that year] with Rarities/NAKC in 2004.

Takoda, above with judges and breeder/handler Suzy Graham, with his BIS and RBIS awards. Photo courtesy of Cindy Schleifer.

Although Takoda excelled in the show ring, Cindy feels the work he's doing in his retirement is what he was born to do. "He just lights up when we enter a nursing home/ rehabcenter/ assisted living facility," says Schleifer. "He is a natural and was born to do this job. The patients just love when he visits, and the smiles on their faces, make me proud and happy that I'm able to share my special dog with all of them."

Takoda working and enjoying it. Photo courtesy of Cindy Schleifer.

Takoda was adopted by the Schleifer's in 2003. He is out of the December 2002 Hammer/Hunter litter bred by Suzy Graham of Tantara Shiloh Shepherds. It is with Cindy and Ken that Takoda excels at his most important job, as friend, soulmate and constant companion.

Takoda enjoying the relaxing view of the river. Photo courtesy of Cindy Schleifer.

You can read more about Takoda's award, as well as the accompanying press, at his I Love Takoda website. Congratulations Takoda, thank you for representing Shiloh Shepherds so very well.

Click play to view Takoda's therapy video. Video courtesy of Cindy Schleifer.

Congratulations to Bailey & Kodiak

Congratulations to Bailey and Kodiak of Kindred Spirit Shilohs in NY for passing their recent CGC and TDI evaluations!

Bailey is a spayed Shiloh Shepherd female Monica and John adopted through the cooperation of the breeder and the ISSDC's rescue/rehome program when she was 18 months old. Bailey is a beautiful smooth Shiloh lady bred by Belle-Grace Shilohs and Bearpaw Shilohs. Monica says Bailey has a sweetness about her, that everyone who meets her just falls in love with her giant but gentle presence. She wants nothing more than to please and give love so they are quite anxious for Bailey to become an actively working therapy dog. They truly hope she will touch many lonely or scared hearts along her way.

Kodiak comes from Babbling Brook Shilohs and previously passed his CGC but was re-tested as part of the TDI evaluation. Monica hopes to get him involved in a Cancer Hospital near their home. Monica says their children are all grown yet he is a natural with little kids.....and are sure to get a face licking! Here's hoping they find a facility where Kodiak can make a difference.

Above: Dutch's Bailey of BelleGraceBearpaw CGC, TDI and housemate brCh Duke Kodiak of Babbling Brook CGC, TDI. Photo courtesy of Kindred Spirit Shilohs.

Congratulations to Bailey and Kodiak and Kindred Spirit Shilohs on this wonderful accomplishment!