About Us

 TCVESSA is a Minnesota-based affiliate club of the English Springer Field Trial Association and the American Kennel Club. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the English Springer Spaniel and supporting the people who share a passion for this versatile and beloved breed.

Our club provides members with opportunities to connect with fellow Springer enthusiasts, share knowledge and experiences, and learn more about responsible breeding, training, and ownership. TCVESSA also works to educate the public about the many wonderful qualities of the English Springer Spaniel, while actively supporting both local and national Springer rescue organizations that work tirelessly to help dogs in need.

One of the strengths of our club is the wide range of activities our members enjoy with their dogs. English Springer Spaniels are known for their intelligence, athleticism, and eagerness to please, and our members celebrate these traits by participating in many canine sports and events. These include obedience, conformation, agility, rally, hunt tests, tracking, dock diving, and Fast CAT. Many of our members and their dogs also give back to the community through therapy dog work and community service.

Whether your interest lies in competition, field work, training, or simply enjoying life with a wonderful companion, TCVESSA welcomes anyone who appreciates the spirit and versatility of the English Springer Spaniel. Our club is built on friendship, shared learning, and a deep love for the breed.

TCVESSA Board of Directors:

• President: Courtney Hansen
• Vice President: Mary Dahl
• Secretary: Carmen Laing
• Treasurer: Gretta Thorson
• Directors: Heather Rand, Michelle Berge, Kathy Patregnani, Diane Slais, Tekla Viker

The Twin Cities Voyageur English Springer Spaniel Association (TCVESSA) was incorporated in 1977. What began as an idea shared by two longtime Springer colleagues quickly grew into an enthusiastic community. Within just weeks of incorporation, the club held its first fun match, drawing strong support from Minnesota’s Springer community. Around the same time, members held a contest to name the club newsletter, and “Vox Voyageur,” meaning “Voice of the Voyageur,” was selected.

As the club expanded, it maintained an active interest in all aspects of Springer activities. TCVESSA hosted annual Parent Club Working Dog certification tests along with a regular schedule of fun matches that included both conformation and obedience competitions.

From the beginning, the club aspired to obtain approval from the American Kennel Club (AKC) to hold specialty shows and obedience trials. During this process, the board discovered that the former field trial club, the Minnesota English Springer Spaniel Club, still held AKC approval for conformation events, despite having no plans to host specialty shows. With their cooperation and support, that approval was formally relinquished, allowing TCVESSA to move forward with its own application.

After meeting all AKC requirements, TCVESSA began hosting its specialty show and obedience trial each May during the 1980s, along with a Working Dog certification test each fall. When the American Kennel Club and the Parent Club later introduced hunting tests, TCVESSA became one of the first clubs in the nation to offer a hunting dog training program and hunting test. As additional spaniel hunting organizations developed throughout Minnesota, the club eventually concluded its hunting test program.

Club membership is open to all English Springer Spaniel enthusiasts in Minnesota and surrounding states. Today, TCVESSA hosts an annual specialty show, an all-breed obedience and rally trial, and multiple agility trials each year. The club also provides educational programs and holds an annual awards banquet celebrating the titles and accomplishments of members and their Springers.

With membership typically ranging from 50 to 70 dedicated enthusiasts, and supported by active board members and volunteers, TCVESSA is especially well known for the hospitality of its specialty shows and the supportive camaraderie among its members.