First Impressions

[PETER APLIKOWSKI]

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Jake Bartell’s President’s message in the new VHD magazine is a great reminder of how we were all “NEW” at this game at some point. (pasted at end of this message). What steps, ideas, people and processes does your chapter have in place to ensure people have a good experience when they first interact with your chapter? IN all areas:
-At Events, Training Days, Tests, Clinics
-Landing Pages on website
-E-Mail inquiries
-Social Media Joins
-Other?

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Jake Bartells President Message-VHD magazine April 2026

March always seems to tease us with a few summer-like days. While most folks are freshening
the gas in their lawn mowers and praying their rotator cuffs hold out long enough to get them
started, many of us NAVHDA folks are busy picking out puppies, organizing our equipment, and
scouting out new training grounds. Soon, we’ll all be attending our first training days of the year,
or maybe you’ve already started. Either way, it marks the dawn of another training and testing
season.
Almost 20 years ago, I was the guy who showed up to his first training day with nothing more
than a 10-pound puppy and a three-foot leash in the back seat of a Mustang that had no
business navigating the rutted up game-land roads leading to the training site. I hadn’t even
been out of the car for 30 seconds before someone pointed out that my puppy was headfirst,
halfway into my paper lunch sack. By the time I could pull her out, she had already cleaned out
every last crumb.
At that moment, I could have been met with someone saying, “Don’t you know you need a dog
crate, a bird bag, a water bottle, and an e-collar? And where’s your vest and orange hat?”
But that’s not what happened.
Instead, I was greeted with smiles, not judgment. Someone loaned me an orange hat. Someone
else handed me a bird bag. A few folks even took turns watching my pup so I could walk along,
observe, and learn. Looking back, I realize how meaningful those small acts were. I’ll always be
grateful for the way I was welcomed that day.
I’m sure it’s intimidating pulling into a parking lot full of rigs outfitted to the nines with impressive
dog setups. But every one of those handlers had a first day, too. I encourage everyone to think
back to their first NAVHDA training day, whether that was last year or 50 years ago. Chances
are, there was someone who made you feel comfortable enough to stick around.
The difference between a new or potential member never returning and becoming a lifelong
member can be surprisingly small. Sometimes it’s just a welcoming handshake and a few
encouraging words: “Come with me and I’ll show you,” or “Here, borrow this until you get one.”
As the season gets underway, let’s remember that everyone was once the new person with an
eager puppy and more questions than gear. A little patience and encouragement today can
inspire the next generation and keep this community strong for years to come.

[PATRICIA CARTER]

First impressions!
Yankee Chapter has been around since 1984! Holy crap! Like all NAVHDA chapters there’s an evolution over time. Officers and Directors come and go, or stay forever! That being said, I been Yankee’s President for 26 years, pretty much forever. As in Jake’s Presidents message this month, first impressions are lasting impressions.
Like local watering holes hire a bouncer, Yankee hires a Greeter (no $ involved, just appreciation) The job of this person is to keep an eye out for confused attendees or new faces in the crowd, giving them support or directing them to others that can help. Most chapters have older members that can’t physically do it all anymore, but they’d love to keep involved and give back!
We’ve all heard about or been aware of clinic attendees that just weren’t happy, no matter what! After the event they get a phone call from me. i listen and most of the time, we all live happily ever after.
Patti

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