 Rick Gatlin
As a child I had American Cocker Spaniels.....the larger old fashioned kind, the ones that could work in the field. When I met my wife Rita, she also had a traditional Cocker. But for the first 7 years of our marriage, we never found ourselves in the right situation to have dogs of our own. I ran in the early mornings on a high school track close to our home....a friendly, silly, handsome black and white male Springer that lived next to the school would occasionally join me for a few laps around the track. His name was Doodles. We also were avid hikers at the time....once in the National Forest, near a large recreational lake, another friendly Springer made our acquaintance. This guy was liver and white. Those two circumstances peaked our interest in the breed. So, we attended a couple of dog shows where we saw the top dog in the country at that time - he was a liver and white Springer. That sealed the deal. Bought our first pup in '81.
Having given over my soul to the breed in many ways over the last 25 years, I could think of no higher service than to try to make a difference in the lives of the dogs that truly need our help. I have never been able to understand how people can unintentionally or intentionally mistreat animals of any kind, but when it is a dog, specifically Springers, I have to DO SOMETHING! MAESSR has filled that niche in my life.
As a Board member, I have been called upon to secure liability insurance for MAESSR. The future of MAESSR is no different than any business that needs protection in order to survive long term. And as much as we would like to be out of business, we know that the need will always be there, so we must be there, too. Additionally, I am working with Monica LaPolt and Sue Geckle to obtain grant funding that will allow MAESSR to sponsor events for the continuing education and support of our volunteers.
As Secretary of MAESSR, I am responsible for taking minutes at the Board meetings, and transcribing them in report form for the Officers and Board. I also receive adoption contracts and owner relinquishment forms from the volunteers, and maintain custody of them.
As much as I enjoy the camaraderie of the Board and Officers who I have come to love like family, nothing gives me a bigger thrill than to actually be able to do a transport. To be able to physically help a Springer get to his/her new foster home or to his/her adoptive home, it's a huge high! My schedule does not allow me to transport often, but when I can, it's a blast! And most recently, a transport led to our adoption of Carolina, one of the Springer Six-Pack from North Carolina.
What I LOVE most about English Springers is the intelligence. They are truly challenging....a breed that you have to always think one step ahead of. Keeps your mind sharp....no matter how early they get you up. And I encourage everyone that reads this to
Volunteer, help us any way you can, even if it's only for one hour a month. If you love the breed, that's all the encouragement you should need. We need your love of the breed, your talents, your time, and your commitment. When you give yourself to your own
Springer, you know love. When you give yourself to all Springers, you give love a hundred fold.
Residence: Ft. Defiance VA
Education: Associate in Business Administration from Blue Ridge Community College. BS in Business/Accounting from James Madison University.
Career: University of VA - Research Administrator, specializing in NIH grants. Joined UVA in 2001 as an Oracle software consultant for new systems integration and implementation.
Twelve years as Accountant / Software Specialist in poultry industry.
Part time: AKC licensed dog show superintendent for MB-F, Inc, of Greensboro, NC.
Hobbies: Golf, reading, and ACC basketball.
MAESSR history: Began as transport volunteer in 2000. Joined Board of Directors in 2004. Became Secretary in 2005
Springer history: Started in 1981 in English Springer Spaniels and remain active in the breed. Kennel is Solo ESS.
Breeder: 8 litters, 12 champions produced.
Show record: 2 top 10 ESS bitches, 1 top 20 ESS male. Dogs primarily owner handled as well as handling a variety of breeds for friends. Handled Black and Tan Coonhound to championship.
Obedience: Trained thru utility. Achieved several CDs and CDXs
Tracking with first 2 dogs, gaining TDs and training for TDX
Clubs: Member of Skyline Kennel Club since 1986. Served as Vice-President, Treasurer, on Board of Directors, and Obedience Chairman.
Teaches on-going conformation handling classes.
Served as Skyline's liaison with Waynesboro, VA's City Attorney in 1988 to draft an animal control ordinance not directed at specific dog breeds.
Awarded Friends of the Blue Ridge Australian Shepherd Club annual award in 1991.
Family: Wife: Rita.
Springers: Tweed, Dee, Ali, SeaSea, & Siobhan (formerly Carolina)
|
