In January, the Support Services and Veterinary Outreach departments were combined with the newly created Internal Audit department to form the Audit and Control division.

The Internal Audit department provides senior staff an independent examination and evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of AKC management and operational controls. The department tests procedures and controls, concludes as to their quality, and makes recommendations for improvements.

The Veterinary Outreach department promotes AKC to the veterinary community and establishes alliances with universities, researchers, practitioners, and related professional organizations.

In June, the Hartz Mountain Corporation became the program’s official sponsor. Hartz and AKC unveiled their partnership at the July AVMA convention, where a co-branded version of the AKC Breed Poster was distributed.

The agreement will enable staff to increase the number of annual vet school visits, and will enhance AKC’s ability to reach the veterinary community with a variety of media.

Veterinary Outreach and Hartz will, for example, distribute a copy of the AKC Complete Dog Book to every 2005 graduate from 28 accredited veterinary schools.

AKC Companion Animal Recovery contributed $100,000 to the Veterinary Scholarship Fund, allowing AKC to disperse $160,000 for the 2004–2005 school year. Three $15,000 Chairman’s Awards, three $10,000 President’s Awards, and seventeen $5,000 scholarships were distributed to veterinary students based on academic history and potential, and depth of involvement in the sport of purebred dogs.

As the fancy depends on AKC for a range of services, AKC depends on its Support Services department. The department fulfills printing, shipping, purchasing, inventory, facility management, mail, and other vital functions. In 2004, Support Services handled 8 million pieces of mail outgoing and 1.7 million pieces incoming, and processed 100,000 shipping orders.

In January, Keith Frazier was named assistant vice president of Audit and Control.