The NAVHDA Handler Clinic


Junior Scholarships Available!
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What is it?

The Handler Clinic is an educational tool developed by NAVHDA to help dog owners and handlers understand the testing system. The clinics are conducted by designated trained leaders; all of whom are NAVHDA Senior Judges. During the two day clinic weekend, participants experience all aspects of a Natural Ability, Utility Preparatory, and Utility Test. The first few hours of each day is devoted to informal classroom instruction. There is discussion of Test mechanics, the scoring system and NAVHDA philosophy.

The group then goes out to the field to judge and score dogs being run in the actual Test process. After each dog has run and been scored, there is a discussion of performance and scoring as observed by the participants and the clinic leader. The discussion includes strengths or weaknesses of training and handling observed in the demonstrations, and how they may have affected the dog's inherited skills.

Who Should Attend?

  • People with their first pup see how other dogs work and gain insight into what their pup is doing and why. This helps them to develop their pup's talents and improve performance in weak areas.
  • Novice handlers learn how NAVHDA evaluates versatile dogs, and are better prepared to handle their dogs in a test.
  • Experienced handlers gain a deeper, more technical knowledge, of how the team of dog and handler are judged.
  • Breeders learn what to look for in their breeding stock and their progeny, and how to use NAVHDA records obtained through the Test Information Service in selective breeding.
  • For aspiring NAVHDA Judges, attending a Handler Clinic is one of the first steps in our Apprentice Judge Program.

To Find a Clinic

Handler Clinics are sponsored by Chapters located across the U.S. and Canada. Dates and locations can be found in our Calendar of Events. Call or write the event secretary of the clinic that you are interested in for information on individual clinics. The entry fees for Handler Clinics are determined locally. The clinics are limited to 20 participants.

To Host a Clinic

If you belong to a local NAVHDA Chapter and are interested in hosting a clinic, we have included our packet, Holding a NAVHDA Handler Clinic (pdf) to guide you through the process of planning, funding, promoting and hosting a sanctioned NAVHDA Handler Clinic.

Kristin Rieser Scholarship Fund


This fund was established by Jim and Donna Rieser of Shooting Starr Kennels in memory of their daughter Kristin. Kristin was a passionate enthusiast for all things NAVHDA, AKC and NSTRA. She successfully ran dogs in all levels of NAVHDA’s testing program and was an accomplished breeder of German shorthaired pointers receiving many Breeders Awards. Kristin was an active volunteer for her local chapter and was a cheerleader for all other NAVHDA members; in addition to being an aspiring veterinarian.

Her untimely death inspired her family to create this namesake to honor her dedication to NAVHDA in a way that would encourage other young people to follow in her footsteps. This endowment funds the cost of young members who wish to attend a NAVHDA Handlers Clinic.

The following are the guidelines established for young members to apply for the Kristin Rieser Scholarship Fund:
  1. Applicants must be between the ages of 10 and 18.
  2. The letter of request should be written by the applicant. It should explain their experiences with dogs and why they want to participate in a Handlers Clinic. Examples would be: Do you have a dog currently or are you getting one? Do you hunt or plan on hunting when you can? Have you participated in a hunter’s safety course? Do you train your dog regularly? Do you want to run in a NAVHDA test or have you already? What is your favorite part of owning and training your dog? What do you hope to gain from attending a handler’s clinic? Tell us what you enjoy about NAVHDA.
  3. A photo would be nice, but isn’t necessary.
  4. A note from someone in the local NAVHDA chapter (other than a family member) is a good addition too.

Please send applications to:
NAVHDA Central Office
Kristin Rieser Scholarship Fund
PO Box 520
Arlington Heights, IL 60006-0520
Or email them to navoffice@navhda.org and include the words Kristin Rieser Fund in the subject line.



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