Ontario Grand River Chapter
The purpose of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) is to:
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foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America;
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to conserve game by using well trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot; and
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to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging non selective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.
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Ontario Grand River (OGR) is a sanctioned, non-profit chapter serving Southwestern Ontario;
from Lake Huron to Lake Ontario, from Georgian Bay to Lake Erie.
Dave Wolff Memorial Youth Handler Award
![davidwolff.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/700f32_07e5fefd52be408ea3b6ae654b3c74cf~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_209,h_239,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/davidwolff.png)
Dave Wolff was a dedicated member of Ontario Grand River NAVHDA, as well a beloved mentor, friend, and family man who touched the lives of many. Dave passed away suddenly at the age of 54, leaving behind his loving wife, Sheri, his cherished children, Ali and Evan, and his beloved dogs, Harper, Daisy, and Rae. His legacy extends far beyond his immediate family—Dave was a NAVHDA judge with countless friends across both the U.S. and Canada, and he was always ready to lend a hand, whether in the field or at a training day and supporter on test day.
Dave’s true passion lay in spending time with his dogs, training them with care and dedication. For Dave, the key foundation of any training session wasn’t just about achieving results—it was about making sure the dogs had fun, no matter how the training went. He believed that when a dog enjoyed the process, their potential truly shined, and it was this outlook that made him such an exceptional handler, hunter, and mentor. His kindness, patience, and encouragement helped many handlers reach their training goals, and his joy for the sport was contagious.
Whether out hunting with his dogs and son or mentoring a young handler, Dave brought a sense of joy and purpose to every moment spent in the field. This award is dedicated to Dave’s memory, with the hope that more young handlers will take up the challenge of training a versatile hunting dog—embracing not only the skills needed to succeed but the belief that the journey should be as rewarding for the dog as the destination.
In accepting this award, you honour Dave’s contribution to NAVHDA and to the future of versatile hunting breeds in North America. His legacy lives on in the passion and dedication of every young handler who steps into the field, ready to train with the same love for their dogs that Dave had for his.
The Award
This award covers 25% of the entry fee not covered by NAVHDA International (75% of the entry fee, Youth Testing Incentive Program - NAVHDA ) for Youth Handlers (under 19 years of age) who enter a Natural Ability or Utility Test conducted by the Ontario Grand River NAVHDA Chapter. Each youth handler must meet the requirements of NAVHDA International for youth handlers.
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A certificate with the appropriate wording will be given to each youth handler who receives the award.
Recipients
Sept. 2024: Nathan Flatt and Fin (NA Test)