VERSATILITY PROGRAM INFORMATION:
For more information, contact Christine Palmer-Persen, GPCA Versatility
Chair at 707-838-8587, fax: 707-838-8595 or email at pyrcreek@aol.com
Send completed books to Christine Palmer-Persen,
2847 Mark West Station Road, Windsor, CA 95492
PURPOSE
1. To present
Great Pyrenees in a positive manner to the public.
2. To interact with the public to enhance the image of purebred
dogs in general and of Great Pyrenees in particular.
3. To promote understanding of our breed and its historic usefulness
to Man.
4. To acknowledge G.P.C.A. members and members of G.P.C.A. affiliated
clubs actively involved with their dogs in service to others.
5. To encourage people to interact with their dogs in a positive,
experiential, and educational manner. To provide a format as an
aid towards this goal
6. To honor the versatile nature of the dog whose accomplishments
are documented herein.
7. To provide an opportunity to participate in a G.P.C.A. sponsored
activity for all members and affiliated club members living anywhere
in the world.
DEFINITIONS
LEVEL I:
Versatility Ambassador (VA)
This is the first level of recognition in the Great Pyrenees
Club of American Versatility Ladder program. To complete this
level, your dog must participate in three activities from the
Versatility "box" OR a combination of three activities from both
the Titled "box" and Versatility "box".
LEVEL II: Versatility Emissary (VE)
This level of recognition requires that your dog complete
requirements for a V.A. plus two more activities from the boxes.
One of the activities must be one of the following: · a CD (Companion
Dog) title from the AKC or kennel club of your country of residence.
· verification of 54 or more Therapy Dog visits. · verification
of 50 events chosen from the Unstructured Activities list in at
least three activities with at least five events in each activity.
These events or excursions are in addition to those already earned
for the Versatility Ambassador (i.e., no event can be counted
twice). For example, 20 public education events, 25 therapy visits
and five hiking excursions qualify, but none of these may have
already been counted for the VA. · one or more years of Service
Dog work. · two Obedience Freestyle performances.
LEVEL III: Versatility with Excellence (VX)
This is the most challenging level of recognition in the Versatility
Ladder program. To receive this award, your dog must have earned
a V.E. In addition, the dog must earn an AKC title (e.g., CH,
CD, CDX, TD, etc.) or a GPCA title (e.g., DD), plus an additional
activity from the Versatility "box", to total seven activities
from both boxes. At least on of these seven must be a "Structured
Activity."
PROCEDURE
1. Obtain
a GPCA Versatility Book from the Versatility Chairperson listed
in the Bulletin by sending a 6x9 SASE with postage for three ounces
or contact the local Versatility Committee Representative.
2. Complete all required identification for your dog. This award
acknowledges each dog's achievements, not the owner or handler.
Therefore, each dog must have his/her own book.
3. Keep a record, including dates and signatures, of all events
and excursions completed.
4. Complete all required activities for each award level.
5. Fill in the "Summary" page.
6. Be sure to include copies of all titles and certificates earned.
7. Send the completed Versatility Book to the current Versatility
Chair listed in the GPCA Bulletin.
8. The information will be recorded. Certificates are awarded
during the annual GPCA National Specialty banquet. For those unable
to attend the banquet, awards will be mailed with the books.
9. Record all activities for all levels in one book per dog. Indicate
which activities were accomplished for each level.
ACTIVITY
OPTION BOXES
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VERSATILITY
ACTIVITIES
Structured Activities:
Canine Good Citizen
Agility (Course completion)
Musical Obedience Freestyle
Rally Obedience
Service Dog
Therapy Dog*
Temperament Test*
Unstructured Activities:
Backpacking "Boating/Canoeing/Sailing
Carting
Hiking
Livestock Guardian
Mountain Climbing
Nursing Home, Hospital, Institution Visits Public Education
Skijoring
Walkathons
and anything else approved by GPCA
*Contact the Versatility Chair or any Committee member
for organizations and addresses, e.g., Therapy Dogs International,
Delta Society, etc.
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TITLES
NA Novice Agility
CD Obedience: Companion Dog
CDX Obedience: Companion Dog Excellent
UD Utility Dog
DD Draft Dog
DDX Draft Dog Excellent
TD Tracking Dog
TDX Tracking Dog Excellent
CH Conformation Champion
and any other AKC or GPCA official title.
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EXAMPLE OF
ACTIVITY SELECTIONS
LEVEL I-VA:
Public Education, Nursing Home Visits and Hiking.
LEVEL II-VE: VA plus 50 more Nursing Home Visits and Carting.
LEVEL III-VX: VE plus a Championship and Canine Good Citizen.
There are many possible combinations of activities that will qualify
a dog for the different Versatility levels. For owners who are physically
unable to work their dog(s), a friend may handle the dog. It is
the ability of the dog that is being acknowledged in this program.
Download
Versatility Form
