Waive the regional requirement for USCA member Diane Vegsund and dog Merik for the 2024 USCA Nationals

EB# 18-24

EB Motion #18-24 – Waive the regional requirement for USCA member Diane Vegsund and dog Merik for the 2024 USCA Nationals.   

Motion by Cherie Flores, NW RD, and seconded by Nathaniel Roque, DOJ, to waive the regional requirement for USCA member Diane Vegsund and dog Merik for the 2024 USCA Nationals.   

Background: 

From Diane: I am only 30+ days out of spinal surgery and am still under tight restrictions as to what I can and cannot do so that the fusion heals correctly. Even if I entered and pulled after attempting one phase, I cannot make the 14-hour drive to Utah to the NW Regionals. That’s way too painful and highly not recommended by my doctor. It is unknown at this point if I can train ahead of time and attend the nationals, but without this exemption, it is a moot point.  

Our qualifying score of 270 was obtained at an earlier event this year. This will likely be my dog’s last year of competition, as he will be 7 years old in early 2025. I attempted to have another handler handle him for this event, potentially the Nationals. Still, there isn’t enough time for the two to develop the relationship to get another qualifying score.  

Diane has submitted a doctor’s note with her request for the waiver.