This memorial page was created in honor of
Dr. George Padgett.

September 1999: After reading his book and talking it over with Joanne Chanyi, Judy Huston invited George to conduct a genetics seminar for the American White Shepherd Association at their 1999 National Specialty Show in Midland, Michigan.

April 2000:  George helped Judy design and launch the first ever White Shepherd Health and Genetics Survey which was inspired by her love of her Kyra, Ky's siblings, and all their Shepherd friends.

September 2000: He delivered the results of the seminar at the Huston home and gave permission for the video to be distributed in exchange for the cost of producing it and any genetic fund contributions people wanted to donate.  This was the start of the White Shepherd Genetics Fund.  A White Shepherd Genetics list was started and the Open Registry was launched.

March 2002: Judy asked George if a group of White Shepherd breeders and enthusiasts could conduct an interview with him.  He not only agreed but invited interested breeders and owners to his home where he served them his home-made soup during their break.   The interview was later published in the AWSA Times, the WSCC News, and the Hoflin White Shepherd Annual thanks to the writing skills of Dale Malony.

October 2003: He did his second seminar for the AWSA club on The Care of an Open Registry. Data was collected and used with permission from Jean Reeves of Royal Acres, Joanne Chanyi of Hoofprint Farm, Lynda Proulx of Lyndons Shepherds, Pam Koons of Crystal's Shepherds and Pam Hovind of Jazmond's Jems and other supportive breeders.

August 2004: He worked with Judy who overloaded Joanne Chanyi with requests for information to build a geneticists pedigree to help the White Shepherd Genetics Project determine whether they were dealing with one disease, Lumbosacral Stenosis, or whether we also had to consider GSD Degenerative Myelopathy-–different than a diagnosis of DM. It was learned we have Intervertebral Disk Disease, IVDD/IDD in our breed.  As of that point in time, and to date, there is still no definitive proof we have GSD DM in the White Shepherd.

George was available to answer every question, every phone call, and every meeting we requested. He was truly a friend of the White Shepherd and other breeds and we are forever grateful to him.