Brett Snyder

Brett Snyder and his Longhaired Dachshund, Todd, took first place in the Open All Age Dog Stake at the Dachshund Club of America field trial hosted by Greater Portland Dachshund Club in Castle Rock, Wash., Sept. 30, 2006. Fourteen-year-old Snyder exclusively handles in performance events DC Sausage Stables Best Reviews, CGC, SE, with whom he shares a poignant history.

Brett's mother bought Todd upon a counselor's advice that Brett have his own dog to help him deal with the grief and feelings associated with finding his father dead of heart failure in 2000.

Todd, fittingly works as a children's grief therapy dog as well as a service dog who visits nursing homes and head trauma centers with Snyder. In addition, Brett and Todd have earned the Junior Earthdog and Senior Earthdog titles, finished Todd's field championship in late 2006, and have been certified to enter a Tracking test. A 4-H member, Snyder took Todd to his state fair and earned High Scoring Hound in obedience. Todd is qualified for the Dachshund Club of America's Versatility Certificate (the application is pending). And Snyder, who has earned his Field Trial judging number, hopes to start judging Field Trials when he turns 18. Snyder is a Junior member of the Dachshund Club of America, Emerald Dog Obedience, McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers, Oregon Trials End Earthdog Club and Greater Portland Dachshund Club. He has won "Best Junior" two years in a row from the Greater Portland Dachshund Club. Snyder has held many offices in the 4-H Dog Club "K-9 Kidz". Snyder showed Todd in the 2005 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. He has also shown and raised 4-H Rabbits showing Jersey Woolies.

Brett Snyder and his Longhaired Dachshund, Todd