Southern Ontario Disc Houndz has created a series of Specialty Achievement Awards for its members. The purpose of these awards is to recgonize and congratulate the achievements of dogs and their handlers in the sport of canine disc.
The Specialty Achievement Awards are:
- The Lifetime Achievment Award is an award given to a dog &/or person to recognize their accomplishments over the lifetime of their disc doggin' career. The Lifetime Achievment Award is not an annual award, but rather is presented when a suitable candidate emerges.
- Athlete Of The Year is an award given to a dog/handler team that best represents the true spirit of the sport. It is not necessarily the highest scoring team of the year, but rather the team that displays a true love of the game, sportsmanship, contribution to the growth of the sport, and support of others.
- Canine Rookie Of The Year is an award given to the best new up and coming canine disc athlete
- Player Rookie Of The Year is an award given to the best new up and coming human disc dogger
- Rising Star Award is an award given to a dog/handler team showing potential for greatness!
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Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Dennis Alexander & Tango: At the 2007 Canadian National Disc Dog Championships, eleven year old German Shepherd mix, Tango, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of competition, multiple World Finalist placings, and for being a pioneer of the sport of disc dog in Canada. Together Dennis and Tango have paved the way for the rest of Ontario to see what the sport of freestyle disc could become. Their innovation and dedication to the sport are deserving of special recognition. Congratulations Dennis and Tango.
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Athlete Of The Year Winners
2010 = Dennis Alexander & Case. Not only is this team an up and coming force to be reckoned with on the trial field, they are also a team giving back to the community. Dennis & Case perform at fund raisers for local humane societies & are regular supporters/performers for Easter Seals Kids Charities. They demonstrate a true love for the sport & share that passion with the many kids whose faces wear a smile when they watch Dennis & Case perform. Congratulations Dennis & Case!
2009 = no awards this year due to lack of local competitions in which to see/assess competitors
2008 = Kate Gartley with her dogs Big Al and Buddy. When various SODH members were asked who they thought a suitable candidate forAthlete Of The Year would be, one name was presented ....... KATE. Kate and her dogs are Novice players who truly enjoy the sport of canine disc. They play for the sheer love of the game. As a player and canine disc sport enthusiast, Kate gives her all to support, encourage, and help others. As a club member, Kate has volunteered her time to help at competitions and serve on trial committee's. Congratulations Kate, Big Al, and Buddy.
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Canine Rookie Of the Year Winners
2010 = Surf's Up! Surf is a young border collie owned & loved by Melody Scott. In his first competition year Surf showed that he's got the stuff that champions are made of .... eagerness, ability, talent, and a true love for the sport. Congratulations Surfer .... 2011's Canine Rookie Of The Year!
2008 = Harley. Harley is a Jack Russell Terrier, owned by Amanda Morton. In July of 2007, Harley came out to his very first local disc dog trial (a Skyhoundz local) .... just to see what it was all about. He came in 4th and SODH contest organizers quickly put together a 4th place prize for him to reward and encourage his owners to persue the sport. He was given a short tutorial on some basic freestyle moves and his owners were given information on how/where to find out more about the sport. Suffice it to say, they were bitten by the disc dog bug!! Harley is one awesome little dog!! Just one year later Harley placed 2nd in the MicroDog Freestyle division at the Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Ontario Regional Disc Dog Championships, and earned an invitation to compete at the Hyperflite/Skyhoundz World Championships. Congratulations Harley!!
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Player Rookie Of The Year Winners
2008 = Catharine Gastmeier. Exactly one year ago, Catharine happened upon a disc dog trial taking place on the August Holiday Monday. That trial was the 2007 Canadian National Disc Dog Championships. She was intrigued and asked questions about the sport and how to get involved, and returned the next day to watch the Skyhoundz Ontario Regional. Shortly after that, she started playing with her border collie Ceilidh. Since that time Catharine and Ceilidh have come a long way > Catharine has become a proficient thrower and Ceilidh a proficient canine partner. This is a toss/fetch team to look out for as they improve & move up the ranks. Congratulations Catharine.
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Rising Star Award
2010 = Angela Ewtushik & Brew. Angela and Brew started competing as a team this year & it looks like we have another top Canadian disc team on the horizon. Congratulations to 2010's Rising Stars!
