Licking River Kennel Club
Since the 1970’s, the Licking River Kennel Club has assisted in the facilitation of public canine programs for our local communities. Serving the areas of Zanesville, Newark, Heath, Granville and Lancaster, our commitment to these projects has worked to establish the groundwork for programs surrounding canine services, training and development, community awareness, the sport of canine competition and canine companionship.
Today, the Licking River Kennel Club continues to support canine programs across the world. The Club has raised awareness for and contributed funds for pets left behind in destructive floods, hurricanes and fires. The LRKC volunteers time with local 4-H groups, nursing homes, pet fairs and other areas. Educational efforts continue annually with training and testing for the Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs International programs. While our members come from very diversified backgrounds, the members of the LKRC are proud to join together and share in the common bond of loving our pets.
The Licking River Kennel Club is pleased to share our past community accomplishments, and look forward to continuing to serve the local area of Licking County, Ohio with educational programs.
Licking River Kennel Club
The Licking River Kennel Club provided the first Newark Police Canine dogs. Both Bernie Fry (Newark) and Bob White (Newark) worked to provide education and training as the program began. Additional support continued as each generation of Newark Canines became retired and new generations were brought onto the force.
The Licking River Kennel Club Drill Team was active in the local community by being present at events to promote canine companionship.
Beginning in 1971, the Licking River Kennel Club formed an obedience drill team to perform at various local and statewide events.
Included in the original members were:
• Cathy Nemeth and her Golden Retriever, Nugget
• Joyce Huff and her Golden Retriever, Chief
• Virginia Blackston and her German Shepherd, Silver
• Lynn Sellars and her Siberian Husky, Tonka
• Bonnie Cordes and her Collie, Wolf
• Bob Hayes and his German Shepherd, Rinnie
• Bernie Frye and his German Shepherd, Shep
• Bob Wainfor and his Old English Sheepdog, Major
• Marian Riley and her Toy Poodle, Yum Yum
The German Shepherds owned by Bob Hayes (Newark) and Bernie Frye (Newark) were both working guard dogs, but worked equally well in their Drill Team roles.
In their first year, the Drill Team appeared at the Thornville, Ohio July 4th Celebration, The Dog House at the Ohio State Fair, and the Delaware County Fair. Through the years, the team evolved into a teaching team, visiting various schools. Demonstrations included both drills and education about dogs in general based on the age level of the audience. Members were also able to have their dogs perform specialized skills, such as search/detect and attack/guard skills.
In 1973 OFF-LEAD magazine ran a series of articles authored by Virginia Blackston about the drill team, which also described the drills performed and featured in photo illustrations.
Other members of the Licking River Kennel Club Drill Team included: Rosemary Grube (Newark), Joan Wainfor (Newark), Ted Riley (Newark), Dale Faye (Newark), Mitzi Paulus (Newark), Steve Wainfor (Newark), Carole Brennan (Newark), as well as current LRKC members July Riley (Newark), Carolyn Martin (Newark), Dee Kirk (Newark) and Connie Halliday (Newark).
Our Mission:
To promote the quality of life for our canine friends through training and community involvement.
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Southgate Church of Christ
1075 S. 30th St.
Heath, OH
7:00 pm
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