Take the Lead

a 501(c)3 Corporation, assisting the AKC dog show community since 1993

With your help, we can make a difference in people’s lives.

Take the Lead Westminster After-Groups Party

Monday, February 10th, 2025 @ The Delta Club at Madison Square Gardens
11pm-1am | Tickets $150

Ticket Sales Starting December 1st

Since 1993, over $6.4 mil Dollars Distributed | More than 2300 TTL Members | During Covid-19 Assisted in over $400k in Insurance Premiums

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About Take the Lead

Who We Are

Take the Lead was founded in 1993 as a not-for-profit foundation under Section 501 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code dedicated to provide direct services, support and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses, and to provide temporary emergency assistance to those affected by civil disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes and the like.

What We Do

Take The Lead provides direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer the devastation of life-threatening or terminal illness. Perhaps no one can describe who we are and what we do better than someone we have helped along the way. Our mission also includes the ability to provide temporary emergency assistance to those affected by civil disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes and the like.

Getting Involved

We welcome your support. Take The Lead relies upon membership, donations and fundraising events held around the country.

There are many ways that you can help: through your donations, by becoming a member and being a participant in fundraising events.

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A Tribute to Pat Laurans

Pat and I were friends for 63 years. We were in college at Boston University at the same time, becoming sorority sisters, and dog enthusiasts.

We began our dog careers in 1968 when we both acquired Dobermans and became involved in conformation showing. We apprenticed with J. Monroe Stebbins who was a well-known professional handler at that time. We worked shows with Steb and deepened our involvement with the sport.

I went onto a career in professional handling while Pat became involved in breeding German Wirehaired Pointers. She later became a delegate to the AKC and was subsequently elected to the AKC Board of Directors. She ultimately received the AKC Lifetime Achievement Award.

During that time Pat was contacted to help in founding and organization that would provide financial support to members of the fancy suffering devastating medical events and overwhelming expenses. The result of those efforts was Take the Lead, a not for profit group, dedicated to helping members of the fancy facing the overwhelming costs of medical care.

Pat was honored to judge at many prestigious events including several group assignments at Westminster, but the success of Take the Lead in developing into a successful charity and invaluable benefit for the fancy was, in her heart, her most meaningful accomplishment in dogs.

Her friend,

Terry Hundt

Join us in making a difference within our community by becoming a Take the Lead member.

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Our History

1993

We originally began simply to lend a level of support to those impacted by the AIDS epidemic.

September 1993

The First benefit cocktail party was held during the Westchester weekend in September of 1993 where we raised approximately $35,000.

1994

Our first applications for assistance were received and we immediately began making distributions paying medical insurance premiums, funeral expenses as well as other non-medical bills.

1995

Established a permanent restricted fund and determined that up to one half of each year’s net income would be placed in it.

Testimonials

A few words from those we have impacted

My husband and I would like to thank "Take the Lead" for the assistance they provided us while battling Sarcoma Cancer. Blue Cross & Blue Shield is one of the highest rated insurance companies that any family can have for medical coverage. We thought that it along with Medicare we would never be in need of any other assistance. We were wrong! As my recovery went slower and slower, we knew we
would never be able to afford the costs of the Rehabilitation Hospital that was necessary for my possibility of ever walking again. Take the Lead provided the funds to supplement our dwindling insurance caps and kept me in the Rehabilitation Hospital. Through their generosity I can now walk short distances without assistance and expect a full recovery eventually. Thank you Take the Lead for the service your organization provides for the people who love dogs.

In 2010 I was diagnosed the Ovarian cancer, stage 3. As if dealing with that kind of life threatening diagnosis and facing major surgery and subsequent treatment wasn't scary enough, I am self-employed with no disability benefits, so I knew I not be able to pay my rent.....Several friends recommended that I contact Take the Lead. I did just that, and following a short approval process, with the help of Take the Lead, I no longer had to worry or be concerned about my living expenses during treatment.....I was able to focus all of my attention on my recovery. I really don't know how I could have gotten through it all without this wonderful organization and the peace of mind they gave me. Today I am in remission and back to training and competing with my dogs.

For many years I paid my yearly dues to Take The Lead as I had known several people whom they had helped.....I have never really been one to ask for help.....I finally went online and applied for assistance.....I was amazed at how quickly I was contacted and approved.....They have been a complete God send. I cannot express how much I appreciate their help.

Because of the Take the Lead, I have been able to live and see my children all graduate high school. I have seen my first granddaughter and my first grandson. Thank you, Take the Lead, because of your help, I am here.

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Awards

Recognition within the Community

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We provide direct services, support and care for those in the purebred dog community who were facing the devastating challenges of a life-threatening or terminal illness. In addition, we are now able to provide assistance in cases of civil disasters.

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