The ACC Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed and the people who own them through outstanding leadership and the advancement of both knowledge and understanding. Gale Frana meets these requirements.
Gale’s involvement with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers began in 1977 when the first one joined her family. She trained and competed in conformation, obedience, rally, and field work and supported the breed in many ways. Gale bred a few litters under the Kennel Name Chesavieda. She was a member of the American Chesapeake Club in the late 70’s and early 80’s then took time off to raise her family and rejoined in 2005.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, she served as one of two Regional Directors (RD) in Florida and served as an RD in Tennessee starting in 2012. Gale frequently hosted annual Chessie Fun Days on her farm with participants coming from several states. She enjoyed educating the public and encouraging owners to try new or different activities with their dogs and would reach out to people in her area to assist in training and general education about Chesapeakes. As RD, she hosted WD/WDX tests, tracking seminars and Supported Entries.
Gale served the ACC Board as Treasurer and Director and was Board Liaison to multiple committees. She chaired the annual Nominating Committee, chaired the Health Committee and was a member of the Bylaws Revision Committee. One special role was Board Liaison for ACC Rescue. She was not just the liaison; she was an advocate for Rescue! Gale often would refer individuals to Rescue and volunteered to transport, foster, or work on funding. Gale also worked to streamline the process for Rescue to receive funding from the ACC Charitable Trust. And she served as a Trustee for the ACC Charitable Trust.
Gale never backed away from volunteering, regardless of the venue. She coordinated all the meal planning and orders for the 2019 ACC National Field Trial Specialty. Gale arrived early with her “crew” and they organized the display and selling of the Specialty Merchandise as well. She was one of the “secret weapons” behind the scenes that assisted in making the Specialty a success.
A few years ago, Gale wrote, “The American Chesapeake Club is very important in preserving and promoting a wonderful breed, whose versatility, strength, loyalty, intelligence, work ethic and gentleness makes them one of a kind. As guardians of our breed, we have been successful in maintaining a breed that can truly do it all. Chesapeakes still excel in the field, show ring, performance events and as family members.” She was passionate about our breed and club and promoted both whenever possible.
Gale was also actively involved with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. This may not involve Chesapeakes, but this organization works to transform lives by providing mobility assistance service dogs to veterans who were wounded in service to our nation. In her 14 years volunteering with the organization, she served as a short-term respite and an advanced foster for multiple service dogs, and she was a valued member of the client services team. Watching her “teams” graduate was always a proud moment for Gale.
I first met Gale at an ACC National Show Specialty and looked forward to reconnecting with her whenever we both attended the same events. But our friendship and appreciation for working together on ACC and Chesapeake Bay Retriever projects deepened when she joined the ACC Board as Treasurer in October 2015.
Respectfully submitted by Lynda Barber-Wiltse
