OSA 2024

SAC Outstanding Service Award:  2024

Robyn Pennell

Robyn Pennell  (left in the photo) is a caring, supportive and resourceful person. She is so deserving of being the 2024 Outstanding Service Award recipient.

Robyn got her first Samoyed, Ryder, in 2008 from Dushanbe Samoyeds as a ‘pet’. Six years later, she and her husband, Curtis, decided to get a Samoyed puppy from Dushanbe Samoyeds. In 2014, this puppy, Winter, introduced Robyn to the dog show world. With support from her dogs’ breeder and soon-to-be mentor, Linda Johnson, Robyn has successfully owner-handled her dogs to their championships and grand championships. The Pennell’s established their kennel, Brightwood Samoyeds, and had their first litter in November 2020. She and her dogs’ performance activities include titles in rally obedience, barn hunt, sprinter, canine good neighbour and trick dog. Also, she has fun doing sport events such as recreational sledding and canicross. Robyn has embraced many activities that demonstrate the Samoyed versatility. Well done!

In addition to participating in dog shows and performance events, Robyn, has supported the broader Samoyed community. She joined the Samoyed Association of Canada in 2015 and this year marks 10 years being a member. Robyn was elected as secretary in May 2018 and continued in this position until April 2024. It is one of the busiest positions on the board of the directors. She diligently performed the duties of secretary responding to general inquiries, maintaining the membership list and drafting board agendas and minutes. She researched and introduced electronic voting for board of directors and the membership making voting easy and confidential. The Board of Directors appreciated her skills during her tenure as secretary. In late 2018, she stepped up as Co-chair of Rescue Committee. The hard-working rescue committee – with representatives across the country – responds to helping Samoyeds find new homes across the country. This committee has been very busy in recent years.

Robyn has participated in local meet the breed and social get-togethers in the Halifax area with other Samoyed owners. At the SAC Atlantic Specialty, she was responsible for the participants’ friendship bags. If you need help, Robyn has been there to lend a helping hand.

Congratulations Robyn on this well-deserved award.