10 September, 2010
Dear Fellow Pharaoh Hound Enthusiasts,
We are pleased to offer a blood draw CHIC clinic for pharaoh hounds at the 2010 PHCA National and Eastern Specialties events, during the period from Thursday, 9/16 through Sunday, 9/19.
As stated on their website, www.caninehealthinfo.org, C.H.I.C., the Canine Health Information Center, is described as follows:
“The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The CHIC, working with participating parent clubs, provides a resource for breeders and owners of purebred dogs to research and maintain information on the health issues prevalent in specific breeds.
The CHIC also maintains a DNA Bank, co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC/CHF, collects and stores canine DNA samples along with corresponding genealogic and phenotypic information to facilitate future research and testing aimed at reducing the incidence of inherited disease in dogs.”
The Pharaoh Hound breed is one of a number of breeds that are “CHIC breeds”, meaning that, as a breed, we are set up for participation in the CHIC programs, research, and repository.
To permit maximum flexibility for exhibitors and participants, as well as the volunteers who are coordinating the CHIC collections, we will not have specific appointments set in advance this year. Instead, on Wednesday, 9/15, a general schedule will be made available at the host hotel and the show site, and this schedule will include both estimated times for the CHIC collections, the location, and contact information so that you are able to contact directly those who can assist you. If, on Wednesday, you have trouble finding one of these schedule handouts, just call Rebecca Stephens at 214.733.3483 (cell) and I’ll be happy to get one to you.
Meredith Wille has very generously volunteered to do the blood collections. Meredith is an extremely skilled and experienced veterinary technician. All collection supplies are being coordinated and donated by Dr. Thom Haig (an ENORMOUS "Thank you!!!" to Thom!!!). The blood draws will be done at the Haig’s motorhome, which will be parked on the showgrounds in the RV parking area. The CHIC application and survey form, which is required for each dog on whom there is a blood draw, will be available at the motorhome, and can be completed as you bring your dog for collection.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Please be sure that you have the following information with you to include on your CHIC submission application/survey form:
Dog’s AKC/CKC registration number
Dog’s full registered name and call name
Sex/color/breed
Dog’s date of birth
Dog’s microchip/tattoo ID number
Owner’s name, address, and phone number, and co-owner’s name
OWNER’S CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS (Very important)
Sire’s and dam’s AKC/CKC registration numbers, if available
If you have a copy of your dog’s three generation pedigree, bring a copy of that to submit along with your application. It is not required, but helpful if you have it.
CHIC is underwriting half of the cost of the blood submissions, which is typically $20 per submission. That means that your cost will only be $10 per submission/dog. Please bring a check and make your check out to “O.F.A.” for $10 per submission. On the memo line of your check, please write “PHCA CHIC clinic”, and the dog’s name. Please give your checks to Pam Haig or Meredith Wille, who will then forward the checks to CHIC.
The blood specimens will be labeled, kept cool in the Haig’s motorhome, and will be transported to Tennessee after the specialties. Thom Haig will then send them to where the collections are processed by CHIC. They are then stored in the CHIC DNA Repository.
If you have questions, please feel free to email Rebecca Stephens at RStephens4@aol.com. Again, please pick up a CHIC Clinic Information/Schedule flier, which will have more specific information on times, at the host hotel and/or specialty events, beginning on Wednesday, 9/15.
Looking forward to seeing you in the shows and events!
Rebecca
RStephens4@aol.com
