Christine Lee Conklin

Christine Conklin passed away on February 12, 2016 to be greeted at the Rainbow Bridge by the many canine friends she had raised and the more than 1,500 she saved through Weimaraner Rescue over more than 15 years.

The daughter of Judy Jones who survives her and the late Bob Jones Chris was born November 28, 1959 in Galion Ohio. She attended school in Crestline and Hamilton, Ohio and graduated in 1978 from Okemos High School. Chris attended Michigan State University before establishing her career in the breeding and training of dogs.

Chris' expertise in the evaluation of canine temperament benefited area shelters, clients of local veterinarians and countless patients in mid-Michigan hospitals and nursing homes. Chris was a frequent speaker on canine temperament and evaluation for Animal Control Officers and Veterinarians. In 2010 she accepted a contract from the USDA to evaluate the temperament of Pit Bulls involved in Kent County dog fighting cases for the court case. She was frequently called on to testify as an expert witness on Canine behavior.

Chris was the Executive Director of the Michigan Weimaraner Rescue Incorporated, a Certified Evaluator for Therapy Dogs International and the AMC Canine Ambassador and Good Citizen program and an instructor for Canine Obedience Classes for area Community Education programs. She was a Board member and officer of the Ingham County Kennel Cub, the Southern Michigan Weimaraner Cub, the Michigan purebred Dog Rescue Alliance, and a Trustee for the Weimaraner Club of America Foundation Fund.

In addition to her mother, Chris is survived by her brother Rick Jones (Shelly) of Williamston and sister Cathy Cooper (Jeff) of Byron Center and nephews Robert Jones and Dawson Cooper and niece Jordan Cooper.

A family and friends celebration of Chris' life will take place later in the Spring. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the rescue program or animal shelter of the donor's choice.