ASTC PRESENTS AKC GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD TO SALLY VILAS
they were recognized, and decided a Shih Tzu would make a wonderful family pet. They acquired their first Shih Tzu from Barbara Pennington. They had only small number of show dogs who lived in their home and en- joyed life with their two sons and their friends—these included Best in Show Shih Tzu, Ch. Vilenzo Red Rover Red Rover ROM. Sally’s first mentor in dogs taught her that a commitment to the sport should include service in appropriate organi- zations and she became active in the Poodle Club of Central California in the 1960s, serving as its president and show chair for several years. She joined the ASTC in 1976, serving as ASTC President from 1996 to 2006, then as the ASTC’s Recording Secre- tary, AKC Delegate, Bulletin Editor, and a member of the Judges’ Edu- cation Committee. For her service, she was honored with an ASTC Life Membership. She was also a mem- ber of the Poodle Club of America, the Golden Gate Shih Tzu Fanciers, and the Nor-Cal Toy Dog Fanciers. She served as an officer and/or com- mittee member for all of them, in- cluding president of Golden Gate and longtime show chair for the toy club.
She was also Managing Director of the ASTC Charitable Trust, oversee- ing its contributions to disaster relief, health research, education, and other initiatives that benefit our breed and the world of purebred dogs. For many people in our breed and in our sport, Sally was always the “go to” person. If you had a question or need- ed help, she was always there with a prompt and knowledgeable response. Licensed to judge all toy and non- sporting breeds and groups, junior handling, and best in show, she was also at the forefront of efforts to pre- vent the passage of a breeding ban in the state of California and ensure the continuation of the Hemopet blood bank that benefits dogs throughout the country. Clearly, it would have been easier to list what Sally has NOT done than all that she contributed until forced to retire due to ill health in 2019. Her re- tirement leaves a huge gap that it will take many people to fill! As a tribute to Sally, we would like to mark the 50th anniversary of AKC recognition by republishing her advice to new and prospective judges of Shih Tzu, which first appeared in Top Notch Toys in November 2007.
O n January 22, 2019, the Ameri- can Shih Tzu Club Board of Di- rectors voted to award the AKC Good Sportsmanship Award to Sally Vilas in recognition of her decades of extraordinary service to our club, our breed, and the world of purebred dogs. Sally’s first show dog, more than 50 years ago, was a Minia- ture Poodle. Her husband, Bob, dis- covered Shih Tzu at about the time
“Clearly, it would have been easier to list what Sally has NOT done...” 50 • T op N otch T oys , A pril 2019
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