Who Am I? What Am I Doing Here?
My name is Jennifer Edds, formerly known as Jennifer Stepp. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University in 2006 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Computer Science. My Honors thesis project was conducted under Dr. Lev Yampolsky (Biology dept) and Dr. Debra Knisely (Mathematics dept): we utilized graph theory to develop a predictive model for proteins with oligosaccharide-oligonucleotide binding folds. This was my contribution to a larger endeavor investigating the differences in a particular protein's (replication protein A) sub-domains' affinities for ssDNA, initiated by the Quillen College of Medicine at ETSU. I completed a one year fellowship with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, where I worked as part of a research team studying the genetics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I am now a student at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, TN, where my husband Andrew and I live with our Flat-Coats Zoey and Maia.
I am a member in good standing of the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, the FCRSA Sharon Myers Health Committee, the Capital Region Flat-Coated Retriever Club, and the East Tennessee Retriever Club.
As for how I became involved with Flat-Coated Retrievers... At age 19, I was finally in a position to have a dog. After much research and study, I decided that a Flat-Coat would be the best breed for me. I couldn't have been more right! I contacted several breeders from the Flat-Coated Retriever Society's breeder referral list and eventually, after being informed several times that all puppies were spoken for, I reached Dr. Nancy Schenck. After a long conversation, she told me she thought she had the perfect puppy for me, and she couldn't have been more right. And so Zoey came to me, and my life has not been the same since. The name Zoey means 'life' in Greek, and I couldn't have done a better job in selecting her name, as she is truly the epitome of life and living. She has meant more to me than I could have ever possibly imagined, my best friend. She has helped teach me patience, perseverance, and how to be outgoing and confident, things I had not been the best at before. Her sweet spirit and our undying devotion to each other are priceless and I could not be more grateful.
First-time owner and handler, I had no idea what I was doing in the show ring. But after my initial pessimism at my adeptness, we persisted, and, with the help of so many people, we have been what I consider successful thus far and so soon, both in conformation and performance events and training. I do believe that having such an incredible and willing dog to start with has made things that much easier! The members of the Flat-Coated Retriever Society really have acted collectively as a mentor for me, teaching me so much, offering such encouragement, and needed critique. Many have helped me learn about the conformational characteristics of these dogs, by going over Zoey with me and allowing me to study their own dogs as well. I have been warmly taken along, without question, on field training sessions and invited into the homes of some wonderful people offering to share their experiences with me. I feel truly fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful group of people and dogs.
When I attended my first FCRSA National Specialty in April of 2005, the pure joy of these dogs and the dedication of those who choose to share life with them was overwhelmingly apparent. The versatility of this breed is what amazes me, in addition to their delightful ways, sensitivity and the extreme bonds they share with their owners.
Maia (Gamekeeper's Seventh Wonder) came from Mitch and Maria White of the Gamekeeper's kennel in Ohio January of 2007. I am honored that Mitch and Maria have entrusted her to me. A half-cousin to Zoey through the dam side, we are thrilled to have her. The name Maia comes from Greek mythology, Maia being one of the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. The daughters are referred to as the Pleiades, for which a 7-star cluster in the Taurus constellation is named after. Maia was the eldest and most beautiful, and is also known as the goddess of fields. We cannot wait to see how she grows up!