The Jack Russell Terrier Research Foundation
Committees
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Research Committee Chair
Dr. Ruth Wilburn
10368 Goodman Rd.
Olive Branch, MS 38654
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 I have owned jack russells and have been a member of the JRTCA for 12 years.
I am the past president of the South Coast Jack Russell Terrier Club, past editor of "Going To Ground" . I have also been the trial chair and secretary numerous times. I was a coordinator for the Western Region Championships for the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, and the coordinator for the Jack Russell Terrier at the Pet Expo for 9 years. The Pet Expo is solely a public education event.
As the years have gone by, I've become very interested in helping our terriers become more genetically healthy. And with the assistance of you, but breeders, we can make this dream come true.
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 Hi, my name is Dawn Kelley. I became involved with Jack Russell terriers when I acquired my first Jack Russell eight years ago. Since then I now have six Jack Russells that my husband and I enjoy for their intelligence, determination and devotion. Because of our love for this little white dog, in 2003, we started the "Digging West Challenge", a Jack Russell Sanctioned Terrier Trial in California. California has one of the largest memberships in the JRTCA. I thought it necessary to hold trials to provide information to our members about the importance of the breed and its characteristics. And to provide more discussion and information about the concerns we see today on the genetic defects.
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 Renee' has had terriers for over 11 years, when she got her first JRT, Stoney. Her and her husband Keith, both fell in love with the drive, determination and natural hunting instinct of that little dog. That big little dog taught her the joy in groundhog hunting and she can often be found in the groundhog rich hunting grounds around her home with a backpack, shovel and a couple of terriers.
Renee' works full time as a web developer and pet photographer.
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Publicity and Web Development Committee Chair
Renee' Glover
Please report website technical or maintenance issues with the address of the page to:
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Research Sub-Committee Contacts
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 I have been involved with Jack Russell Terriers for over 18 years. I live just outside of Denver, Colorado with my husband, Michael Bilbo, and our many terries and horses. I have had personal experience with Epilepsy/Seizer disorders as it was in my original lines of JRT's. This issue is close to my heart and I want to help the Research Foundation in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have concerning Epilepsy, seizers, medication or the study at the University of Missouri. I will do my best to answer your questions or find an answer.
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 Debbie has been involved with Jack Russells since 1983, serving as vice chairman of the JRTCA Breeders Committee and on the JRTCA Trial Committee. As a breeder she became concerned about genetic disease when she produced cerebellar ataxia in 1993. She started the first genetic research, for Jack Russell Terrier cerebellar ataxia, at the University of GA in 1994, and continues to support ataxia research today through funding and education.
She has served on the board of directors for the Jack Russell Terrier Research Foundation for five years. In 2003 she served as vice chairman and was elected Chairman in 2004. "Research is my passion, and helping find genetic markers for our beloved terrier, is my goal".
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 Genie Franklin became involved with Jack Russells in the early 1980s and she has always participated in all aspects of JRTCA trials as well as competed regularly in several venues of agility with her terriers. When she formerly owned an equestrian shop, her terriers went to "work" with her every day, but they also frequently "worked" below ground, earning JRTCA Natural Hunting Certificates. Snowflake was one of these "working terriers". Snof also attained high awards in all breed Dog Agility and achieved high levels in Obedience. However, it was Snof, who at three years of age in 1993, educated the JRT world about deafness when she whelped several deaf puppies. BAER testing revealed that Snof also was unilaterally deaf which was a total surprise.. (See link for "Snowflake's Story"). Through this experience, the JRT world learned about JRT deafness and BAER testing for deafness. Genie has also been instrumental in helping the JRTRF support an important research project on deafness with the objective of determining DNA markers for deafness and the goal of being able to use these DNA markers to reduce, if not eliminate, deafness in Jack Russells. Genie also served as Treasurer of the JRTRF for several years.
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Hearing Committee
Genie Franklin, CT
(860) 633-4938
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Working together toward a better breed.
