WCRL Names Phyllis Huber Volunteer of the Year
Huber is first inductee in Rally Hall of Fame.
In late 2020 the USDAA/World Cynosport Rally Limited (WCRL) announced it was starting a new Rally Hall of Fame award for volunteer of the year. Very soon after, Dawn Dingler responded, in tandem with the WCRL Rally Committee of Splash n’ Dash K9 Sports, to nominate Phyllis Huber, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as Rally Volunteer of the Year.
Dawn wrote: “Phyllis has been active in the sport of rally obedience for years and was instrumental in bringing WCRL Rally to the Pittsburgh area in 2012. Since then, Phyllis has organized two rally trials a year, acting as trial chair in all. This involves a significant amount of time arranging judges and their accommodations; filing all necessary paperwork; securing volunteers for the trial; fundraising; developing the premium and ensuring all supplies and ribbons/awards are stocked. After several years of doing the work herself, Phyllis developed the Rally Committee to not only assist with the workload, but also to bring new thoughts and ideas into our trials. In addition to being generous with her time, Phyllis spends a substantial amount of her own money on various costs associated with hosting a trial such as worker and judges’ gifts, printing costs and raffle baskets which are used as fundraisers for the club.”
The owner of two dogs, Phyllis has been instrumental in helping her students, as well as others in the dog community, by organizing rally run-throughs prior to each trial. For this she designs and then sets up and “judges” rally courses for all three levels of WCRL rally obedience. According to Dawn, “This provides invaluable help to both handlers and dogs preparing for an upcoming trial by giving ring experience, as well both constructive criticism for exercises that need to be improved upon and praise for a job well done.”
In the nomin
ation, Phyllis was lauded for taking an active role in the dog club by serving on various committees, but most importantly volunteering to teach classes in rally obedience. She encourages her students to excel and to enter trials. The interest she has in helping others to improve and reach their goals is obvious to everyone. Phyllis also ensures that her students understand not just how the various exercises are performed, but also the rules and deductions associated with each exercise.
When she isn’t involved in her sport, Phyllis enjoys spending time with her daughter and granddaughter, cooking, crafting, gardening and listening to music.
In conclusion, the nomination states: “Phyllis Huber gives generously of both her time and knowledge to her students and our dog club at large. Certainly, there would be fewer successful dog and handler teams without her guidance, and the sport of rally obedience would be poorer for it. Phyllis is a wonderful example of what it means to volunteer.”
After careful consideration, the USDAA/WCRL awards review committee agreed and is pleased to announce and congratulate the first WCRL Volunteer of the Year recipient, Phyllis Huber.