The CKC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointments of CKC Life Member Virginia Lyne, Honourary Chair, and Dr. Greg Keefe, Honourary Veterinarian, for 2019.
Virginia Lyne has been a long-time leader and mentor in the dog fancy. She began showing and trialling an American Cocker Spaniel in 1953. In 1960, she started breeding her world-renowned Ranzfel English Cockers. For 50 years, Ms. Lyne has been a sought-after judge, which has taken her to all corners of the globe. She has judged at the Westminster Dog Show four times, including the Sporting Group in 2003 and the Hound Group in 2016. An educator by profession, Ms. Lyne has generously shared her knowledge and experience. She is committed to judges’ education and has been active in seminar presentations and judges’ training for many years. She is past president of the Canadian Dog Judges Association and has served on the executive boards of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada and the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America. With an interest in both performance and conformation events, Ms. Lyne is currently the Chair of the CKC’s Events Officiating Committee.
Upon learning of her appointment, Ms. Lyne said, “I feel so very humbled and honoured by the recognition of my more than 60 years of involvement in the amazing sport of purebred dogs. To serve as the 2019 Honourary Chair of the Canadian Kennel Club is a privilege I deeply appreciate. I thank the Board for their confidence. I look forward to attending the 2019 Annual General Meeting.”
Dr. Greg Keefe, DVM, MSc, MBA, is the Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island. He is one of AVC’s foremost researchers and educators, specializing in dairy-production medicine. In partnership with his graduate students and collaborators, Dr. Keefe has published more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Among his numerous awards are the UPEI Presidential Award of Merit, CVMA award for Advancement of Large Animal Medicine in Canada and the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award. As Dean of AVC, Dr. Keefe is leading a management team focused on the strategic renewal of the college’s teaching, research, and service programs.
Dean Keefe says, “I am proud to be named Honourary Veterinarian for the Canadian Kennel Club. While I chose to specialize in large-animal medicine in my veterinary career, dogs have always been an important part of my life. My dogs have been—and are—part of my family, providing companionship and loyal friendship.”