ESAA News: June 2019

June 29, 2019 | View Online

Noteworthy News for June 2019

As we kick off a summer filled with fun and shows, the AKC continues to promote the health and well-being of dogs.

We are excited to announce the opening of the nominations for the 2019 AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). These awards celebrate five loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and communities. One award is presented in each of the following five categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue and Exemplary Companion dog.

ACE recipients will receive $1,000 to be awarded to a pet-related charity of their choice, a one-year pet insurance policy from AKC Pet Insurance, and an engraved sterling silver medallion will be presented to each at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida.

Each year we have the pleasure of learning about the stories and impact of dogs across the country who enhance our lives and touch everyone they meet. These awards are a part of the fabric of the AKC and demonstrate the purpose of the purebred dog in our society. Since its creation in 2000, 95 ACE awards have been presented to dogs of various breeds, including one mixed-breed dog, from states across the nation. Entries are open until July 31, 2019 and you can visit AKC.org for more information on how to nominate outstanding dogs. The winners will be announced this fall and we look forward to honoring these special dogs.

We are also gearing up for Responsible Dog Ownership (RDO) Days to be held by many of our clubs around the country. These events are a great way for clubs to engage and educate the public in their communities about the responsibilities of dog ownership and help current owners enhance their relationships with their pets. These events consist of educational booths, action packed dog demonstrations, games, activities to try out with your dog, AKC Reunite microchipping, health clinics and more. Owning a dog has endless pleasures and rewards, but many need a friendly reminder about our job to give them the best life possible. The AKC will host its flagship Responsible Dog Ownership Day in Raleigh, NC on September 28, 2019. It will be a fun and educational time for everyone. If your club has not yet held an RDO day, we encourage you to hold one as a stand-alone event or as a special attraction at your current show.

Lastly, the AKC continues our commitment to students pursuing their education in veterinary studies. We are honored to congratulate the 15 winners of the 2019 AKC Veterinary Outreach Scholarships. The recipients have demonstrated a dedication to the future of purebred dogs and the health and well-being of every animal. This scholarship is designed to support individuals with a background of participation in AKC events and programs, who seek to promote animal health and medicine. A total of $35,000 in scholarship money was awarded. We are very excited to see how they impact the future of veterinary medicine.

We are always working on ways to interact with the public and move the AKC mission forward through our events, awards, research and countless educational program. As we move into the summer we look forward to the various ways our clubs will share AKC’s mission with the dog-loving public.