Pure Dog Talk

Southern Handlers Charity League: It's All in the Family Jill Bell, right, and AKC rep Sue Vroom during the "Butcher the Beard" campaign for SHCL. Jill Bell, former professional handler, now working as a superintendent with Onofrio, joins me to talk about the good work of the Southern Handlers Charity League. Created in 2001 by a group of handlers in response to a death in the dog show family, Southern Handlers Charity League (SHCL) raised money to help with funeral costs. In the intervening 17 years, the non-profit has helped all kinds of people in the purebred dog community, Bell said. Potlucks and raffles Owner handlers, photographers, judges, anyone in the sport, Bell said, have been assisted by the organization. The group raises funds through potlucks, raffles, and creative events like the “Butcher the Beard” contest in which Onofrio’s own Tim James agreed to shave his renowned beard for charity. “If there is a need, we help out,” Bell said. They have donated to hurricane victims from Katrina through H