United States Canine Registries

Working Together 2007 Conference - A Huge Success!

A HUGE success! That's what people are saying about Working Together - 2007!

Dog enthusiasts from across the country gathered in Las Vegas on November 14th & 15th for a conference sponsored by the United States Canine Registries, Working Together - 2007!

The first-ever conference of its kind, a cooperative effort by a growing list of member registries, was intended to foster learning and relationships and new ideas!

Wayne Cavanaugh, President of the United Kennel Club, a registry founded in 1898, opened the conference and welcomed the attendees.

This historic event served as the platform for four extraordinary speakers who informed and inspired dog lovers on topics ranging from cutting-edge health to legisalation - all for the betterment of dogs!

Eric Johnston of MMI Genomics on the science and technology of DNA.

Eddie Dzuik of the Orthapedic Foundation For Animals on the health of dogs.

Dennis Foster of the Masters Of Foxhounds.

Pattie Strand of the National Animal Interest Alliance.

And dog enthusiasts from across the country! 

Special thanks and photo credits to JoAnn Draper of the Central Rat Terrier Association.

Look for more exciting ideas from the United States Canine Registries in the future!

Eddie Dziuk, Chief Operating Officer of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

An Overview of OFA, CHIC and the DNA Repository Program

Eddie Dziuk earned a BS degree in Economics from Mount Saint Mary’s College. He spent the next 16 years with the Fortune 100 IT Electronic Data Systems (EDS). In August of 2001, Eddie left EDS to become the Chief Operating Officer of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). In this position, he has a unique opportunity to combine his years of business and management experience with his love of dogs and interest in canine health.

Eddie has been an active participant in the sport of purebred dogs for thirty years. As a breeder and exhibitor of Beagles, he finished his first champion at the age of thirteen, and has owner-handled five different Beagles to all-breed Best In Show wins, including the breed’s record holder for BIS and National Specialty wins. Eddie and his wife Pam, live in Columbia, Missouri, where they maintain a small hobby breeding kennel of Beagles and Miniature Pinschers under the kennel name Regatta.

Lt. Col. Dennis J. Foster (US Army Ret.)

Your Dog Doesn't Want Rights

Lt. Col. Foster is the Executive Director of the Masters of Foxhounds of America, the 100-year-old organization that provides the standards for and represents mounted foxhunting in the U.S. and Canada. He is an award-winning author and is considered an expert on national and international animal rights organizations and their tactics. He has been recognized and awarded for his leadership in the fight against the animal rights movement.

Lt. Col. Foster has given presentations on the subject in the US, Canada, Ireland, England, France, Belgium and Australia. He is a member of both National and International committees working to preserve hunting throughout the world. His eye opening presentation will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the animal rights movement is designed to steal your dog and remove your rights as an animal owner.

Eric V. Johnston is Senior Manager, Operations, MMI Genomics, Inc.

Trends In DNA -  Testing Dogs With Registries

Eric Johnston is Senior Manager, Operations at MMI Genomics, Inc. (MMIG) in Davis, California. MMI Genomics is a leading animal molecular diagnostics business committed to discovering, developing and validating DNA marker-based diagnostic products to improve animal health. Mr. Johnston is responsible for product line management of the laboratory and customer support. He also provides MMIG's expert services for civil, criminal and problem resolution cases with special circumstances.  Mr. Johnston has been active in the area of animal identification and parentage testing and DNA diagnostics for over 20 years and has been at MMIG since 1992. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Genetics from the University of California at Davis.

DNA ID and Parentage Testing

From the earliest time, accurate mating records were the most important factors in the development of breed standards. Kennel Clubs have been using MMIG's DNA ID and pedigree certification services for over twelve years. Mr. Johnston has overseen DNA testing of over 600,000 dog samples.

Canine Heritage Breed Test

Genetics explains why a dog looks like a breed standard and if it doesn't, why not.

MMIG's latest product is the Canine HeritageTM breed test, which genetically identifies the composition of mixed breed dogs. The Canine HeritageTM breed test is not only satisfying owner's curiosity, but also brings owners closer to their pets and provides insights about the unknown pedigree of their dogs.

Patti Strand, Co-Founder, National Director of NAIA

The Hijacking Of The Humane Movement

Patti Strand is the co-founder and current National Director of the National Animal Interest Alliance, which was formed in 1991 to promote responsible animal ownership and use and to counter the misinformation of radical fundraising and terrorist groups. NAIA is a leading media resource for all issues related to animals, animal welfare and animal rights. Patti is an internationally recognized animal issues expert. Her articles and views on animal welfare, public policy and animal rights have appeared in a wide variety of trade, professional and scientific magazines and lay publications, ranging from the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and the Washington Post to the AKC Gazette, Veterinary Forum, Wall Street Journal and the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

She's been a guest expert and panelist on dozens of radio talk shows, including National Public Radio, the BBC and CBC; TV news shows including NBC, ABC and Fox News, and has been a featured speaker at conferences for zoos, state and national veterinary groups, physician groups, lab animal scientists, kennel clubs and federations, and agricultural, hunting and humane associations.

Wednesday, Nov. 14th

Opening Day

The USCR Conference signals a new paradigm, as people across the dog world gather in the spirit of working together for the benefit of dogs everywhere.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM:    Registration

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM:    Welcome & Opening Remarks

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM:    Eric Johnston, MMI Genomics

12:00 PM -  1:30 PM:     Lunch

1:30 PM -   2:30 PM:     Eddie Dzuik, OFA

  2:30 PM -   3:30 PM:     Open Discussion

Thursday, November 15th

Day Two

Jopin us for the second day of the USCR Conference and be part of the solution!

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM:    Briefing

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM:    Lt. Col. Dennis Foster, MFA

12:00 PM -  1:30 PM:     Lunch

1:30 PM -   3:00 PM:     Patti Strand, NAIA

  3:00 PM -   3:30 PM:    Closing Remarks

USCR Conference - Registration & Information

Make your plans to attend the USCR Conference today!

Registration is just $65.00 U.S. and includes two days of exciting speakers and networking opportunities, plus lunch on both days! (Hotel accommodations are not included, but special room rates just for USCR Conference attendees are available.)

Take advantage of Early Registration Discounts and save!  All registrations are due by October 30th!

Register Onsite Day Of Conference - $85 for BOTH days!

USCR Conference - Hotel Accomodations & Reservations

The USCR Conference will be held at the:

Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel

2101 Texas Star Lane

North Las Vegas, NV  89032

1-800-654-8888

USCR Attendees are offered a special room rate of just $45 per night.  Be sure to reserve your room BEFORE October 15^th to lock this rate in!

• Special Room Rate $45.00 per night, plus $4.95 hotel service fee and 9% tax, single or double occupancy
• Individuals calling for reservations must request the USCR room block to receive the special room rate and must guarantee their reservation with a credit card for one night’s room and tax
• Room block will be held until October 15^th, after which time reservations will be taken on a space available basis at regular hotel rates

TOLL-FREE RESERVATIONS:

1-800-654-8888