STCA Health Committee Awards

Revised January 2009

With the NCL-A Cerebellar Ataxia test now available for American Staffordshire Terriers, the STCA Health Committee has revised the awards system to include this test on all levels. To maintain the integrity of this database, we recommend that the DNA sample for this test be obtained by a veterinarian or veterinary technician who can verify the identity of the dog being tested.

The STCA has also joined the Canine Health Information (CHIC) database, and participants will be eligible for an STCA Health Committee CHIC award. Requirements for the CHIC database and all awards levels are listed below. To be eligible for a CHIC award, dogs need to complete the recommended tests and obtain a CHIC number. Passing scores are NOT required.

GOLD Award

HIPS - OFA Good or excellent or Penn Hip score of .57 or lower
ELBOWS - OFA normal
CARDIAC - Normal Doppler by cardiologist
THYROID - OFA normal
EYES - CERF normal
CEREBELLAR ATAXIA - NCL-A test normal

SILVER Award

HIPS - OFA normal (fair, good, or excellent) or Penn Hip score of .57 or lower
CARDIAC - Normal auscultation or Doppler by cardiologist
ELBOWS - OFA normal
THYROID - OFA normal
CEREBELLAR ATAXIA - NCL-A test normal

BRONZE Award

HIPS - OFA normal (fair, good, or excellent) or Penn Hip score of .57 or lower
CARDIAC - Normal auscultation or Doppler by cardiologist
CEREBELLAR ATAXIA - NCL-A test normal

CHIC Certification

Passing scores are NOT required
HIPS - OFA or Penn Hip evaluation
CARDIAC DISEASE - OFA evaluation by cardiologist
THYROID - OFA evaluation from an approved laboratory
CEREBELLAR ATAXIA - NCL-A test through Optigen

Optional tests:
EYES - CERF
ELBOWS - OFA

• For GOLD and SILVER awards, thyroid and eye tests must be renewed annually. You may re-apply for a new award each year on these levels.
• Awards cycle is from Sept. 30^th of previous year to Sept. 30^th of current year.
• Hip, elbow, and cardiac certifications are acceptable from the dog's age of 2 years or older. Thyroid and eye tests must be current.
• Applicants must be STCA members in good standing.
• The dog you are applying for must be currently alive.
• Awards applications are available on the STCA website www.amstaff.org To apply for an award, send copies of your health or CHIC certificates with an award application to:
  Linn Cabral
  3033 Gardi St.
  Duarte, CA 91010

Questions may be directed to Faith Beiser at fbeiser@aol.com Tel# 718.356.0557 or Linn Cabral at norwaylhc@yahoo.com Tel# 626.358.2891