About The Foundation

The first meeting of the Board took place in May 1998 at the PBGVCA National Specialty in Plymouth MN.

The Foundation board members were all members of the Club board.

There were discussions of conducting a health survey.

There was talk of making the Foundation board independent of the PBGVCA and developing by-laws.

The Foundation funded a clinician to speak at the National Specialty on eye problems in PBGVs.

The Foundation had $11,295 in assets.

A PBGV health survey collected information on 691 PBGVs. The top 5 health issues were thyroid, lens luxation, glaucoma, epilepsy, and autoimmune disorders.

A donation of $100 was made to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) to fund studies of genetic diseases.

There were discussions of becoming a 501(c)3 organization.

The Foundation assets were $17,686.

By-laws were amended. Among the changes were a stipulation that Board terms be limited to no more than six consecutive years.

George Padgett, DVM, presented a seminar on canine genetic diseases at the National Specialty.

Videotapes were sold with profits going to the Foundation.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF grants on lens luxation, glaucoma, and hypothyroidism.

Bob investigated liability insurance for officers and directors.

A quarterly newsletter was published.

All board members were asked to participate in fundraising.

Bob discussed rescue liabilities and contracts. Nancy and Dottie reviewed the need for stronger rescue guidelines and contracts.

Bob attended the AKC Parent Club Health Conference.

Plans were made for a Foundation website.

Betty took over maintaining the Foundation website.

Megan drafted a Foundation brochure.

Newsletters written by Barbara described health studies relevant to PBGVs conducted in Europe.

There was discussion of fundraising at the Nationals via raffles and auction. An online auction was planned for the December holidays.

There was discussion of whether the Foundation should encompass both Petits and Grands.

PayPal was set up for donations.

The Foundation had $17,000 in assets.

A donation was made to AKC for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Lauren presented a report at the PBGV World Congress.

Julia attended the AKC CHF Parent Club conference.

Nancy D planned a wine tasting and dinner fundraiser “The Nose Knows” for the 2006 National Specialty in Sacramento CA. Commemorative wine glasses and labels were designed.

Foundation assets were $22,277.

A policy was instituted for reimbursing PBGV owners for the cost of submitting blood samples to the University of Missouri DNA Bank.

Planning began for a new health survey.

There was discussion of subsidizing the cost of eye clinics at the Nationals; however, the motion to do so did not pass.

It was decided to reimburse owners up to $75 for cost of veterinary fees incurred in drawing blood and shipping the sample to the University of Missouri.

The by-laws were amended to state that having three PBGVCA board members on the Foundation board is not required, but is highly desirable.

A petition signed by 70 PBGVCA members was received stating disagreement with the Foundation board removing the 6-year term limit for board members.

The Foundation funded Liz Hansen from the University of Missouri to speak at the National Specialty in Nashville on the importance of DNA testing. A blood draw was sponsored. Jeanne H organized a raffle and auction. She also ordered golf umbrellas as a fundraiser.

Julia organized an online health survey.

A donation was made to the Rabies Challenge Study.

There was discussion of encouraging PBGVCA to make PBGVs a CHIC breed.

Committees were established for fundraising, health education, health research, policy & procedure, rescue, and website.

Lauren communicated with AKC CHF about the possibility of a research study on epilepsy. She was advised that the breed does not have enough samples to qualify to be a focus breed for a research project.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on male infertility, vaccine reactions, hemangiosarcoma, glaucoma, lymphoma, and pancreatitis.

A donation was made to the Rabies Challenge Fund

Ned Patterson, DVM PhD, presented a seminar at the National Specialty in Tucson on recent developments in canine genetics.

The policy for funding rescue expenses was reviewed. It was decided that expenses up to $500 plus the cost of spay or neuter would be automatically reimbursed. Expenses above this amount must be approved by the board.

A new Foundation website was designed.

Lauren and Laura attended the AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

Jenny set up a Café Press store to sell items to benefit the Foundation.

Foundation assets were $14,354.

Jerold Bell, DVM, presented a seminar on canine genetics at the National Specialty in St Louis.

There was discussion about the Club joining CHIC with PBGV health screenings for eyes and hips.

There was much confusion about the difference between the OFA DNA Repository and the University of Missouri DNA Bank.

The Foundation sponsored an AKC CHF grant on epilepsy.

The health survey had 500 dogs entered.

Foundations assets were $16,508.

A FaceBook page was created to educate the public on Foundation activities and to support fundraising.

It was decided not to support any new AKC CHF grants because of mounting rescue bills. Donations were received from the Texas and Carolina PBGV clubs.

A total of $7,000 was raised for the Foundation at the National Specialty. This included a week at Paula DePalma’s Florida timeshare.

Linda, Laura, and Carolyn attended the AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

A hardship procedure was agreed upon, to provide food and medical care for PBGVs in extreme circumstances to avoid a rescue situation.

A ‘Leave a Lasting Legacy’ flyer was designed to encourage donors to include the Foundation in their estate planning.

Pam and Sue organized an online Foundation Store.

It was decided to combine the Foundation website with the PBGVCA website.

The Wisconsin hunt donated $1,000 to the Foundation.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF grants on inflammatory bowel disease, cataract surgery, and glaucoma.

AKC CHF designated the Foundation a ‘Millennium Donor’ for their cumulative grant sponsorship of $25,000.

The live auction at the Mesa AZ National Specialty included Paula DePalma’s Florida timeshare and Laura’s Vermont vacation home. Julie organized the donation of ‘state baskets’ for the silent auction.

Jo Anne obtained contribution envelopes to be inserted into the Fall issue of Saber Tails each year.

Helen attended the World Congress in Warwick, UK. She reported that major health issues discussed were POAG and epilepsy.

At the National Specialty in Houston, András Komáromy, DVM PhD, conducted an eye clinic and gave a dinner presentation on his glaucoma research. The Foundation donated $2,500 to research in Dr Komáromy’s laboratory.

Linda and Laura attended the AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

A Hug Your Hounds T-shirt campaign was organized through Kate Rowinski, which raised $1,600 in 2 months.

A $2,000 donation was made to the Animal Health Trust to support their glaucoma research. Helen reported that the BGV Club (UK) needs cheek swabs from PBGVs with epilepsy.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on Cushing’s, inflammatory bowel disease, and service dog health.

Foundation assets were $36,279.

At the National Specialty in Harrisburg PA, András Komáromy, DVM PhD, conducted an eye clinic and presented an update on glaucoma research. The Foundation sponsored blood draw and cardiology clinics. Judith Shoemaker, DVM, gave the health seminar on integrative veterinary care. Funds were raised by abducting Percy the Rabbit and holding him hostage for ransom. Jo Anne donated a $250 Visa card to raffle and her vacation cottage on Bainbridge Island. The Hug Your Hounds T-shirts were still popular.

There was discussion about whether to separate the Foundation website from the PBGVCA website.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF grants on infectious diseases, seizures, and arthritis. Later in the year, grants on periodontal disease, prevention of infectious disease at dog shows, Lyme disease, treatments for epilepsy, and hemangiosarcoma were supported.

The Indiana hunt donated $1,000 to the Foundation.

A donation was made to the Rabies Challenge Fund.

At the National Specialty in Tucson, Danika Bannasch, DVM PhD, spoke on canine genetics. The Foundation sponsored blood draw and eye clinics. Sheryl organized the Foundation table. The Foundation donated oxygen masks to the Tucson fire department.

The Mid New Jersey PBGV Club donated $1,000 to the Foundation.

It was decided to reimburse owners for POAG tests if results are submitted to OFA.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF grants on epilepsy, closed angle glaucoma, and periodontal disease.

Helen and Laura attended the AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

Sherry set up an online auction through the Auction 32 website. Sue conducted the auction, which netted $595.

Linda applied for a grant from the Spector Foundation; we were awarded $2,000.

Foundation assets were $31,891.

At the National Specialty in Indianapolis, Jerold Bell, DVM, spoke on canine genetics. A seminar on canine nutrition was given by Valerie Parker, DVM. The Foundation sponsored blood draw and eye clinics.

Sharon Betker created a quilt from blocks made by club members. The quilt was auctioned at the National.

The Mid New Jersey PBGV Club donated $500 to the Foundation.

As of March, the Foundation had paid $5,770 to Club members as reimbursements for POAG tests.

The DNA samples held Gary Johnson, DVM PhD, (University of Missouri) were merged with the samples in the CHIC DNA Repository.

Kate organized a Hug Your Hounds t-shirt fundraiser.

A donation was made to the Rabies Challenge Fund.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on periodontal disease, hemangiosarcoma, epilepsy, and Lyme Disease.

Foundation assets were $25,971.

Wash’n Zip Pet Beds sponsored a fundraiser for the Foundation.

At the National Specialty in Charlotte, the Foundation sponsored blood draw and eye clinics. Quilted tote bags and a wall hanging were raffled. The Foundation donated pet oxygen masks to the Charlotte Fire Department.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on Brucellosis, respiratory disease, epilepsy, and lymphoma.

A donation was made to Cathryn Mellersh, PhD, Animal Health Trust, UK for her work on glaucoma.

Laura and Coady attended the AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

The Foundation was notified of a bequest of $60,000 from the estate of Linden Bell to provide for the care of her PBGV Stella. Pam Helmer is caring for Stella.

Foundation assets were $31,456 (Stella funds not yet received).

At the National Specialty in Reno, the Foundation sponsored a blood draw. Danika Bannasch, DVM PhD, gave a seminar on Population Health and Reproduction. The Foundation donated pet oxygen masks to the Reno Fire Department.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on epilepsy, canine influenza, and tickborne diseases.

Donations were received from the Mid New Jersey PBGV Association and PBGVCA members who participated in an Illinois hunt trial.

The Foundation was notified of a bequest of $10,000 from the estate of Melissa D. Cooper, a member of the PBGVCA Rescue Committee.

The Foundation launched a program to encourage Club members to take their PBGVs to a veterinary ophthalmologist annually. Members are reimbursed for part of the exam fee upon submitting exam results to the pedigree database.

A donation was made to the Rabies Challenge Fund.

Foundation assets were $90,764, of which $50,361 was restricted to Stella’s care.

An Outstanding Service Award was presented to Linda Murray, DVM, by the Foundation Board.

At the National Specialty in Kerrville, the Foundation sponsored a blood draw and eye clinic. Andras Komáromy, DVM PhD, gave a seminar on eye diseases in the PBGV, focused on POAG. The Foundation donated pet oxygen masks to the Kerrville Fire Department.

The Foundation offered $5,000 to the Club for development of a coefficient of inbreeding calculator to be added to the pedigree database; however, the Club decided not to go forward with that initiative.

Laura attended the AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

Stella’s health declined and she was euthanized. The residual Stella funds ($44,649) became unrestricted.

Karen designed 5” car magnets with the Foundation logo for distribution at Nationals.

Foundation assets were $96,078.

The National Specialty in Wilmington OH was rescheduled to August because of the COVID pandemic. A donation was made to the Clinton Country Humane Society.

Laura drafted a health survey to be administered through the OFA website.

Jo Anne organized a breed preservation committee to develop strategies to increase the number of PBGVs and sustain the breed. They hired a professional photographer to video a hunt.

The Foundation voted to fund a trial mating feature for the PBGVCA pedigree database. It was not established.

Jennifer King, a founding member of PBGVCA, left her PBGV memorabilia to the Foundation. Sue met with Jennifer’s sister, obtained the items, and conducted an online auction that netted $1,000.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on epilepsy, mammary gland tumors, hemangiosarcoma, and osteoarthritis.

Laura designed a new Foundation website, independent of the Club website.

Foundation assets were $89,117.

At the National Specialty in Wilmington OH, Leilani Alvarez, DVM, gave a seminar on sports medicine and rehabilitation. The Foundation funded an eye clinic.

Laura attended the virtual AKC CHF Parent Club Conference.

There was discussion of the size of PBGV litters. Laura collected data from AKC and breeders, which showed that 4-5 pups per litter had been steady over the past decade.

The Foundation sponsored AKC CHF studies on epilepsy, Cushing’s disease, periodontal disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and pancreatitis.

Foundation assets were $86,198.