PBGV Club of America

Since the formation of PBGVCA the need for continuing member education has consistently been identified. Every attempt has been made to meet that need through articles published in Saber Tails and educational seminars presented at the National Specialty. In fact this approach does not appear to have met the educational needs of most members. Many are unable to attend a National or the topic presented are often very specific and not of general interest. Time constraints at the National often preclude offering multiple seminars and likewise space constraints in Saber Tails is often a limiting factor for multiple articles.

The time has come to collect, collate, and document member experience and information and organize information into an educational system that members of PBGVCA can access based on interests and made available to them for study at their convenience. This is a new concept that is in the development stage.

WHAT IS PBGV UNIVERSITY
Using an educational model developed by the Basset Hound Club of America the organization includes individual schools and courses within the school. The topics are devided by area of interest. The unique advantage of this type of organization is that the variety of courses allows the individual the opportunity to move throughout the schools based on knowledge and interest and at their own pace.

HOW DOES ONE ENROLL IN PBGVU?
Whether the member is a novice or expert there should be something to pique everyone's interest. The courses will consist of a home study program that may be purchased at a reasonable cost from the club in the future. The program will include a self test for each course, which can be submitted for credit. A Certificate of Completion will then be awarded. Once a School of courses has been completed, in addition to the Certificate, an announcement of student achievement will be published in Saber Tails.

The foundation courses, The ABC's of Dog Breeding and Practical Canine Anatomy for Judges and Breeders, authored by Dr. Claudia Orlandi, are already available and will be utilized by PBGVCA as foundation courses.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT?
There are only two requirements for enrollment into PBGVU:

A love for the breed
A desire to learn more about this marvelous breed

WHO ARE THE EXPERTS?
The courses are specific to the PBGV breed will be developed by experts in our breed in each area of interest.

The major variable that will determine the success of this concept will be the willingness and generosity of those experts to share their expertise with the membership. If you are one of these "experts" no need to feel intimidated by the thought of writing for publication; all you have to do is get the information down on paper and others can do the editing. Information may, in fact, come from your many articles already published in Saber Tails over the years.

The motto of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen University
"Preserving the Past and Educating the Future"

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?
The university is actively seeking faculty interest in contributing to course development. If you would like to get involved, please step forward, volunteers are welcome.

Contact:
Kitty Steidel, ksteidel@aol.com