SERVICE TO NATIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Served as ABCA director
- Founding director of the ABCA Health and Education Foundation
- Served on the ABCA health and genetics committee since 1996
SERVICE TO WORKING BORDER COLLIE COMMUNITY
- Studied or helped direct studies of epilepsy, CEA, EIC, EOD and hip dysplasia in Border Collies
- Created / produced several videos and CDs on handling and using border collies for farm work. Among them: “In The Mind of a Champion”, “Gaining the Winning Edge with Whistles”, “How Sheepdog Trials Relate to Practical Farm Work”
- Co-authored the book “Do Border Collies Dream of Sheep”
- Primary author of “Health and Genetics of Border Collies — A Breeders and Buyers’ Guide”
- Respected breeder and accomplished handler
IN BRIEF
Denise knew science and she knew the dogs. She could talk the language of science, evaluate researchers and the quality of research designs in a way that non-scientists could not. And she could explain health problems and the need for research into them to dog people in a way that only another dog person could. Because she knew the dogs, she had a sense of perspective that never elevated preserving health above preserving working ability. She was comfortable in both worlds, which is very rare, and which is what enabled the ABCA to take the lead in addressing the health of our dogs. Her greatest service to the breed was her tireless and expert efforts to highlight, monitor, explain and seek remedies for the health and genetic issues affecting the working Border Collie. I can’t remember a time when she has not been spearheading research and testing efforts, with expertise, good judgment and proactive advocacy.
(E. Stein)