I would like to thank the HRC Foundation for selecting me as a recipient of the Chris Hailey Scholarship. Presently entering my second year of college at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA, I am pursuing a degree in an engineering-related field and also beginning my second year as a member of the Nicholls State University Baseball Team.

My love for dogs started at a very early age with our family dogs being the normal household pets. It was not until my high school years that I learned from a friend of the family about training dogs and running them at the HRC hunt tests. I was intrigued by this “hobby” and begged my parents to let me buy a lab. They were unsure if I was ready for this kind of responsibility but agreed to let me purchase an inexpensive lab from a distant relative. This dog did not have an outstanding bloodline or pedigree, but that did not matter to me. I showed my parents that I could take care of this dog, train him and handle all the responsibilities that went with having your own dog. Ace was doing great until he died suddenly at only four months old. I was crushed and my parents saw that. My parents quickly acknowledged that I was ready for a dog with a more established bloodline and allowed me purchase my present dog, HRCH Dust Devil’s Dynamic Deuce, from Dr. Wes and Mrs. Betsy Magee.

I began training Deuce and he learned quickly. When he was a few months old, I enlisted the help of a local trainer, Mr. Mike Arcement, for additional training. Again, Deuce responded quickly to his training while Mr. Mike taught us both what we needed to know. I continued working with Deuce until he was ready for his first hunt test. In March of 2007, I ran Deuce in his first hunt test. After passing his first four consecutive hunt tests, he earned his HR title at 17 months old.

With the normal demands of college life and the added responsibilities of being a member of a Division I baseball team, my free time was very limited. I decided it was time to hire someone to train and run Deuce in his upcoming hunt tests. With Mr. Chuck McCall as his handler, Deuce earned his Finished Title in the Fall of 2008. I am presently working with Deuce at home, while saving money for additional hunt tests and handling fees. I hope to have Deuce entered in future hunt tests, working his way to the Grand.

Being a part of the HRC family has been such a rewarding experience. Thanks again to the HRC Foundation for selecting me as a recipient of the Chris Hailey Scholarship. I am honored to be selected and will work hard to do my best in honor of his memory.

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