Melanie Kipp

Ancestors

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Biography

Melanie was born in the Territory of Alaska, 2 1/2 months prior to Alaska obtaining statehood. Her parents lived in Kenai, AK (they built the first motel in the town) but due to a lack of hospitals, Clarice had to go to Anchorage to give birth as Melanie required a procedure at birth (due to Rh factors in parents: mother Clarice was O-, father Glenn was O+. and in 1958 this meant that all babies except first-born required blood transfusions at birth or they would most likely die).

Melanie grew up in Kenai, AK, population roughly 500 at time of her birth. In addition to the motel, her father was an electrician and had a business contracting and later built a retail store selling electrical supplies and products. Her mother was an artist and in addition to working in the family businesses, she raised five children. Life was tough at times in the early days of living in Alaska, and the family lived on wild game and fish much of the time. Melanie's first solid food was caribou, and that meat along with moose and salmon were the mainstays of meals through the 60's.

In 1976, Melanie graduated from Kenai High School and that fall flew to Idaho to attend College of Idaho. She graduated with a BA in Music Education (Elementary and Secondary). Returning to Alaska, she spent the next 30 years pursuing a variety of interests. She taught music, both as a classroom teacher (K-8 plus band and choir) and a private instructor (individual lessons in piano, woodwinds, drums). In the late 80's and early 90's she was a pre-school teacher, working with 3-5 year old children. At one point she became an Emergency Medical Technician (I and II) and in that capacity she became an American Heart Association CPR and OSHA First Aid Instructor. Her love for animals led her into working with horses (training, showing, giving private riding lessons and then as a 4-H Horse Club Leader and Judge), earning a certification as a Veterinary Technician and working several years in that capacity, and then into training and showing dogs. Melanie's main concentration in dog training was studying overall dog behavior, training in basic through advanced competition obedience, teaching obedience classes, giving private consultations on dogs with problem behaviors; she also delved into herding, tracking, agility, trick training and musical freestyle.

In her mid-40's, Melanie was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which changed her life considerably (as autoimmune conditions tend to do). She continues to struggle with this disease, and can no longer work with animals and students as she once did. However, on a good note, her beloved dogs have remained by her side and provide her not only with emotional support, but (through her own training) perform Service Dog tasks which help Melanie lead a more normal life than she might otherwise. Her Chow Chow, Khana, is her constant companion, even at doctor visits and four-hour IV infusions. Now ten years old, Khana had been only 10 weeks old when Melanie had her first flare of RA, and they spent those first three months bedridden together, with Melanie teaching the fluffy little Chow puppy obedience commands while laying in bed. An unconventional approach to dog training, but it worked and the result was a very strong and lasting bond between the two.

--Added 11 June 2015--

Sources

• First-hand information. Entered by Melanie Kipp at registration.