Erlanger, Alene

Greer Garson and poodles with Alene Stern Erlanger, circa 1942

Alene Stern Erlanger graduated from Barnard College in 1912. She was captain of the Red Cross at Fort Monmouth (New Jersey) during World War I, and between the wars, she directed the Cellar Players, Hudson Guild, an amateur theatrical company. During the Second World War she organized Dogs for Defense, which arranged for the donation of dogs for military service and placed them in homes after the war. As a civilian consultant to the Quartermaster General, 1942-45, Erlanger helped found the K-9 corps, wrote training manuals, and supervised dog training programs. She was awarded the "Exceptional Civilian Service Award" in 1945. She was married to Milton Erlanger and had they three children. She was a well-known breeder of poodles and owned Pillicoc Kennels, Woodside Stud Stables, and a large aviary. Erlanger was considered one of world's leading judges of dogs of all breeds and was the author of Pet Poodle, a manual (1954). She was treasurer of the International Council on Bird Preservation and active in other conservation groups. Alene Erlanger died on June 26, 1969.

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