Karen Mammano, 2024 AKC Handler of the Year, celebrates her journey from dreams to success in the dog show world.
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Dreams come true for special people. Karen Mammano is one of those outstanding members of our sport! Under the leadership of Program Director Tim Thomas, each year our American Kennel Club Registered Handlers Program honors a member of their elite group, recognizing them as RHP Handler of the Year. Karen Mammano is the current recipient of this prestigious award, which was presented to her by AKC Field Director of Conformation, Sandy D’Andrea, at the recent Erie Kennel Club Dog Show.
Karen remembers being a little seven-year-old girl chasing down her mother’s car as Cleo Friederichsen drove away to go to dog shows. She drew pictures of herself going Best Junior and Best in Show at The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Those childhood dreams have continued to evolve and, in 2020, Karen was handling GCHP Hillocks Jack Daniels as the flashy Golden Retriever, “Daniel,” won the Sporting Group at Westminster.
Growing up in Minnesota with her Mom showing and doing some handling, Karen entered the show ring at age eight and later bred Goldens under the kennel name Windfall. Cleo helped to start the Wright County Kennel Club and was active in the Greater Twin Cities Golden Retriever Club. Karen’s father was a college professor.
When President Gerald Ford was occupying the White House, it was Karen’s mother who gifted the President’s daughter, Susan, with a Golden Retriever, appropriately named Liberty! Do you remember that very positive dog world story that made all the news?
Having the opportunity to apprentice under some of the best in the business, Kenny Rensink, Clay and Bergit Coady, and Maripi Wooldridge, provided Karen with a firm foundation and she learned how to do things the right way. Regarding her mentors, Karen said, “They taught me it is not just about running in circles. Caring for your dogs properly, loving them, and knowing how to read them are all things that you must learn as a handler.”
Something totally unexpected happened in 1995. As Karen Friederichsen was pulling up to park for some shows in Albion, New York, she ran over some cones! This accident may not sound too romantic, but out walked her future husband, Sam Mammano. Two months later, she moved to New York and three years later they were married. In the fall, Sam, also a member of RHP, and Karen will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary! Theirs is a dog show love story!
Karen and Sam are often found in the ring battling it out for Best in Show and it’s a fun sight to see! Handlers Tim Terella and Vesta Rash honed their skills while apprenticing for the Mammanos, and today, Corinna Ohrnberger is learning under their wings as their RHP apprentice.
Members of the AKC RHP are held to a higher standard through their Code of Ethics, meeting requirements for years of experience and superior facilities, vehicles, and equipment.
Today’s RHP members have all completed the AKC Darkness to Light program, which helps to prevent child sexual abuse by teaching adults in their communities and organizations.
Karen expressed to me, “I feel very blessed to have a God-given gift of a natural connection to dogs and them to me. I was lucky to apprentice under some amazing people who taught me how to do everything from picking up poop to trimming and handling. I would tell any young person that to go to work for a handler and become an apprentice is the best way to learn our sport. I am very blessed to have shown some amazing dogs in my life and look forward to many more in the future.
Maybe someday I will become a judge. I have done sweeps, including the Golden National, and I love judging Juniors. Without my husband, Sam, and some amazing apprentices who have gone on to be great handlers, I could not have accomplished all of this. I am very proud! I love my life and have been lucky to turn something most people do as a hobby into my dream come true!”
Congratulations, Karen, on your devotion to the principles of our sport and your many years of accomplishments, which have earned you the high honor of RHP Handler of the Year.
Approved by the AKC Board of Directors in 2000, RHP began accepting applications to join in 2001. Karen was approved as the sixth member on June 1, 200l. The current membership includes the following professionals:
*Denotes AKC Junior Showmanship Judge
Total = 65
American Kennel Club (AKC)
