 Dennis Thompson and daughter Tracey Thompson, Champion Barrel Racer, Mother's Day, 2011 |
| Born in 1949, and raised in the picturesque
farm country of Indiana, Dennis' entire professional life has involved
animals and innovation in designing and marketing animal products. It
is, in fact, unlikely that you could walk into any pet store or tack
shop in the world without seeing a product or product presentation
conceived by Dennis Thompson. His career in the animal business began at age eighteen, in one of the most successful pet stores in North America, owned by the man who invented Kitty Litter. His potential was soon recognized and within two years Dennis managed the store and was instrumental in building and managing a second store. When he left the retail business it was to enter the wholesale distribution side of the pet product industry. First hired by Geisler Pet Products (America’s largest manufacturer of bird and small animal products for the independent pet industry), he was next asked by the largest European and Canadian manufacturer of pet products to introduce their brands to America (including world famous Tetra Min fish food). Not yet 25 years old, Dennis set up and managed the initial distribution of those products in the South and Southwestern United States. During his 30+ years in the professional animal products business, Dennis took companies from "garage" status to becoming nationally recognized brands. Be Nice halters, Quik Silver Shampoo (of Exhibitor Laboratories) and the Hamilton Halter Company are a few that, today, are leaders in their categories. While extensive travel was involved in setting up worldwide distribution of products, Dennis moved his home base to a large working cattle ranch outside of San Antonio, Texas. There, breaking Quarter Horses, roping, working cattle - and raising four little girls on his own - were his passions. In 1988 at an animal industry convention in Dallas, Texas Dennis met fellow pet product professional (and animal lover) Cindy Tergerson, who would become his wife and change his life. It was Cindy who, while they were driving in England on a business trip, noticed a little black and white stallion and asked Dennis if he saw it. Dennis looked, saw the horse and turned the car around for a closer look... the rest, of course, is Gypsy Vanner Horse history (see "THE DISCOVERY" in the contents column). They had 14 wonderful years together before an accident took Cindy's life in 2002. Dennis is the Founder of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society. |
