Meet the Junior Handler: Jemma Panzarino

1. Where do you live? Where do you go to school?

Jemma Panzarino: I live in Chicago, Illinois, and I am a junior at Penn Foster academy.

2. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? Do you have a job?

Jemma Panzarino: Away from purebred dogs, I am assisting at a grooming shop.

3. Have you grown up in a doggy family? What is your breed(s)?

Jemma Panzarino: No, I did not grow up in a dog family. I was introduced to dogs from my cousin, Johnny Rainone. My first purebred dog was a Doberman Pinscher and her name is Fendi.

4. How were you introduced to Junior Showmanship? When did you start competing?

Jemma Panzarino: I started attending dog shows at 13 years old, and soon after that I started participating in Junior Showmanship at the age of 14.

5. What do you remember about the first time you showed as a Junior?

Jemma Panzarino: I remember how nervous I was to compete against some of the top Junior Handlers in the country.

6. How do you prepare your dog and yourself for the ring? Any rituals? Any good luck charms?

Jemma Panzarino: My Juniors dog is a German Shorthaired Pointer, so getting him ready for the ring is fairly easy. But I do have one ritual; that is to show him on the same special lead every single time.

7. What’s it like in the ring when the pressure is on? Do you have a secret for handling the nerves?

Jemma Panzarino: When the pressure is on in the ring, I try to stay calm so that my dog can stay focused and we can keep a strong connection throughout our time together. Keeping that bond in the ring helps both of us do our best.

8. Do you have a mentor in the sport? Have you assisted any Professional Handlers?

Jemma Panzarino: I have several mentors, including Nancibeth Clements and the entire LegacyK team. I have also assisted Jeff and Rebecca Arch.

9. Are there any wins for which you are particularly proud? Any memorable losses?

Jemma Panzarino: My most memorable win to date is going Best Junior Handler at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America National Specialty. My most memorable loss is making it to the last cut at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

10. How do you accentuate your dog’s breed type in the ring? How do you try to stand out?

Jemma Panzarino: My dog naturally has a lot of presence in the ring, and I think his black and white coloring helps him stand out a bit, since you don’t see that look as often. I just try to present him in a way that lets his breed type and overall qualities shine through.

11. Is your breed generally well-suited for a Junior Showmanship career?

Jemma Panzarino: I believe the German Shorthaired Pointer is a great breed for Junior Showmanship because they love to please their owners and enjoy working through challenges as a team. They make the experience fun and rewarding while helping Juniors grow and learn together with their dog.

12. Are there any breeds that you would like to show but haven’t shown yet?

Jemma Panzarino: Yes, I would love to show an Irish Setter someday. They really stand out to me because of their beautiful long coat and elegant look. I think they’re such a striking breed, and it would be exciting to get the chance to work with one in the ring.

13. What can be done to encourage more young people to participate in Junior Showmanship?

Jemma Panzarino: I believe that if we offer more shadowing opportunities at shows, newcomers can come and watch ring procedures, grooming, and ring routines up close. Along with offering more scholarships!

14. Have you bred or co-bred a litter? If so, can you share what you’ve learned from the experience?

Jemma Panzarino: I currently have a litter of Doberman Pinscher puppies that I co-bred with Dylan Kipp Keith and my cousin Johnny Rainone. This experience has taught me a great amount of responsibility, patience, and the care that goes into raising a litter.

15. Is breeding something that you’d like to pursue? Is breed preservation important to you?

Jemma Panzarino: After the experience of helping to raise a couple of litters, breeding dogs has become something I look forward to pursuing following my Junior Showmanship career. Yes, I believe breed preservation is important when it is done responsibly. Protecting a breed should never mean preserving harmful traits or ignoring health concerns. The goal is not simply to keep a breed alive, but to preserve it in a way that keeps it healthy, functional, and viable for the future.

16. What are your goals for the future? Do you see yourself continuing in the sport once you’ve aged-out?

Jemma Panzarino: My goal for the future is to continue working alongside my co-owner, Nancibeth Clement, to help make her dogs shine in the ring.

17. Can you share a word or two about your relationship with your current dog? What does s/he mean to you?

Jemma Panzarino: Walker has been my ring partner in Junior Showmanship for the past two years, and I can honestly say that we have grown together in so many ways. Being in the ring with him has made us both stronger, and he has helped to shape me into a better exhibitor and person. He means the world to me, and I will always be grateful for him and to Nancibeth for trusting me with such a special dog.

18. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Junior Handler?

Jemma Panzarino: I’ve learned that I can never bring a toy into the ring with Walker, because the second I do, he completely forgets we’re there for Junior Showmanship and turns into a full-time toy critic. Instead of showing off, he just points at it!