The American Kennel Club (AKC) is proud to announce the recipients and Honorable Mentions for the 2006 Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). Established in 2000, ACE has become a valuable public-outreach program for the AKC as well as a source of pride among the fancy and the dog community.
A photograph and story about the recipients in each of the five categories; Exemplary Companion, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Service, and Therapy are shown below along with photos of this year's Honorable Mentions. The five recipients will receive their engraved silver collar medallions and $1,000 cash awards at a presentation ceremony at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, California, on December 2-3, 2006. A local presentation will also be held for each recipient at an AKC dog show near their hometown. This information will be posted on our Web site when it becomes available.
Presenting the 2006 Honorees for Awards for Canine Excellence
Service Dog: AspenLabrador Retriever
Owner: Katherine R. Huggins of Enid, Oklahoma
Aspen, an 11 year old yellow Labrador Retriever, has been Katherine Huggins' constant partner since puppyhood. Katherine, suffering from Cerebral Palsy, chronic pain and seizures, purchased Aspen with the intention of training her as a service dog. At 6 months of age, she revealed that she was able to predict Katherine's seizures up to 30 minutes in advance, thus enabling Katherine to regain control of her life.
Working as a team, Katherine and Aspen have set no boundaries. Katherine is a Public Fire & Life Safety Educator, teaching safety and rescue procedures to rescuers and fire departments. The team provides demos for rope and water rescues, teaching valuable lessons to rookies and seasoned firefighters alike. "Aspen helped me realize that my disability doesn't define me. I define myself by my abilities," says Katherine.
In 2000 Aspen won the Delta Society Beyond Limits Award as Central Region Service Dog of the Year. Aspen's achievements have inspired Katherine to share her training methods with countless others, including 130 veterinary referrals. Katherine has decided to start a service dog training center in Enid, Oklahoma, which she hopes will train and match service dogs with disabled children ages 10-18.
At 11 years of age, Aspen has lost her vision, but not her trust in Katherine. Just as Aspen adjusted to her owner's disabilities, Katherine now works to ensure that Aspen maintains the same quality of life. The bond of trust they share is indestructible and gets them through the trials they face each and every day.
Award Presentation:
Aspen was honored at the Sooner State Kennel Club show on Saturday, October 14, 2006.
Honorable Mentions: Service Dog:
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 - Owner: Jon Schechter - Playa Vista, California', 320, 550)) |
 - Owner: Patty Dobbs-Gross - Storrs, Connecticut', 320, 490)) |
 - Owner: Gina Mosley - Katy, Texas', 470, 400)) |
 - Owner: Joseph Escobar - Florence, Arizona', 470, 460)) |
 - Owner: Elizabeth Jackson - Imperial Beach, California', 360, 500)) |
 - Owner: Miranda Jackson - Imperial Beach, California', 360, 420)) |
Law Enforcement Dog: RexGerman Shepherd Dog
Owner: Jamie Dana of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Rex is a retired military working dog. With his partner Tech Sgt Jamie Dana, Rex served in the United States Air Force as a bomb detection dog. The pair worked for three years on assignments in the US and abroad before Jamie volunteered for a tour of duty in Iraq.
Months passed and Rex saved countless lives by detecting bombs planted by insurgents. One day on the way back to base, Rex and Jamie's humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. It was demolished by the sudden blast and Jamie suffered life threatening injuries. Barely clinging to life, she was rushed to a field hospital. When she asked about Rex, she was told that he did not survive the blast. Little did she know, the faithful canine had been thrown clear of the wreckage and narrowly escaped with only minor injuries. Soon afterwards, it became apparent that the insurgents real target had been Rex.
Rex was sent to Walter Reed Hospital to comfort Jamie as she recovered. She asked if she could adopt Rex, knowing that they would soon be separated by Rex's obligations as a military working dog. The Air Force declined her request because Rex still had another 5 years to work. As a result of this devastating news, Jamie's family and friends went to Congress and successfully urged them to pass legislation that would allow Jamie to take Rex home. Passage of Sec. 599 of Public Law 109-163 now allows handlers who wish to adopt their dogs to do the same.
Award Presentation:
Rex was honored at the Catonsville Kennel Club show on Saturday, October 14, 2006.
Honorable Mentions: Law Enforcement Dog:
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 - Owner: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Handler: Major John C. Smith - Jackson, Louisiana', 320, 600)) |
 - Owner: Sharon Sparks - Wheaton, Maryland', 320, 530)) |
 - Owner: Sandy Davis - Geneva, Illinois', 320, 510)) |
 - Owner: County of Shasta California - Handler: Deputy Pat Kropholler - Redding, California', 320, 550)) |
 - Owner: Rocky Hill Police Department - Handler: Officer Joseph Phelps - Rocky Hill, Connecticut', 320, 520)) |
 - Owner: Geary County Sheriff’s Department - Handler: Carlos J. Roman, Undersheriff - Junction City, Kansas', 320, 550)) |
Search and Rescue Dog: MorganEnglish Springer Spaniel
Owner: Katrene Johnson of Lebanon, New Jersey
Morgan is a certified wilderness air scent, water and cadaver search dog through West Jersey K-9 Search and Rescue Specialty Search Associates. She is also a therapy dog with Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs. Morgan and Katrene Johnson have participated in more than 50 searches nationwide and in each case, Morgan's combined talents have provided assistance to victims and relief workers alike.
In September 2001, Morgan and Katrene were called upon to search for DNA material at Staten Island's Fresh Kills Land Fill, the site where the debris from Ground Zero was deposited. Morgan's contribution helped to give numerous families the answers they sought. During breaks, workers were often comforted by Morgan.
Then in 2005, Morgan was instrumental in the relief efforts of another catastrophe. She was called upon by Hancock County, Mississippi officials to help them track down their missing citizens after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Morgan and the other SAR dogs were responsible for clearing neighborhoods before residents returned to survey the damage to their homes. Out in the field, each dog/handler team headed to their assignment. Morgan searched the wreckage out of earshot of the other teams. It was almost silent � all the birds and almost all the insects had been driven or washed away by the storm.
Morgan used her talented nose to assist the search and rescue teams in dutifully locating all missing citizens of Hancock County. As evacuees returned to areas that were cleared by the teams, Morgan was once again called upon to offer comfort.
Award Presentation:
Morgan was honored at the Palisades Kennel Club show on Saturday, October 14, 2006.
Honorable Mentions: Search and Rescue Dog:
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 - Owner: Kimberly Gilmore - Columbia Falls, Montana', 320, 500)) |
 - Owners: Kelly and Mary Jo Tucker - Effingham, Illinois', 320, 640)) |
 - Owner: Shirley V. Lawatsch - Seneca Falls, New York', 450, 420)) |
 - Owner: Vicki Wooters - Malvern, Pennsylvania', 360, 510)) |
 - Owner: Susan Keenan - Brick, New Jersey', 360, 510)) |
Exemplary Companion Dog: K.D.Golden Retriever
Owner: Ron Heller of Carlisle, PA
K.D. is a six-year-old Golden Retriever described as "the canine half of an extraordinary agility team". She and Ron Heller have excelled in a sport that is said to require agility and speed, not only in the dog, but in the handler as well. Ron, affected by cerebral palsy and limited mobility, has proved that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Together, he and K.D. have earned Master Excellent and Agility Excellent Jumper titles.
As a team, they have overcome challenges by focusing on what they CAN do and are an inspiration to many. Watching Ron direct K.D. through a complicated course, it appears to bystanders as if K.D. is actually reading Ron's mind. Ron has trained K.D. to respond to cues from as far as the opposite side of the ring. His success with K.D. has motivated Ron to become an agility instructor, specializing in teaching distance handling skills.
Outside the agility ring K.D. transforms into a gentle, quiet dog that walks politely on lead. The team has qualifying scores in Novice Obedience and Novice Rally. K.D. is also a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dog, Inc. Ron and K.D. are active in their local dog club and together they visit nursing homes, schools, and give training demonstrations at community events.
Award Presentation:
K.D. was honored at the York County Dog Training Club show on Saturday, October 14, 2006.
Honorable Mentions: Exemplary Companion Dog:
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 - Owner: Shanna Wilkinson - Magna, Utah', 320, 490)) |
 - Owner: Corrine Cannon - Clemson, South Carolina', 320, 530)) |
 - Owner: Sibella Campbell - Anchorage, Alaska', 320, 490)) |
 - Owner: Lauren Fox - Canon City, Colorado', 440, 450)) |
 - Owners: John Papierowicz and Cheryl Cramer - Monmouth Junction, New Jersey', 320, 550)) |
 - Owner: Traci Colvin - Marion, Texas', 450, 380)) |
Therapy Dog: AbbyChihuahua
Owner: Katherine Albrecht of La Porte, Indiana
Abby has logged countless volunteer hours as a Registered Pet Partner with the Delta Society. The staff at La Porte Hospital has welcomed Abby and owner Katherine Albrecht for years. Abby is consistently praised by staff for the difference they see in patients after her visits. She seems to know just how to respond to each person and has a calming effect on patients who may be experiencing pain, loneliness or depression. In many cases, she elicits the first response from them all day.
Abby and Katherine have had such an impact during their visits that they received a special request to travel to Indianapolis and visit a young girl at St. Vincent Children's Specialty Hospital. The young girl was badly injured in a house fire where she lost two siblings and the girl's family felt she would benefit from a visit with Abby to assist in her recovery. Upon their return from the visit, Abby and Katherine were invited to visit six classes at the young girl's elementary school to help classmates cope with what had happened.
Abby participates in numerous community programs, and is a great ambassador for pet therapy. She volunteers for the LIL' FISH program, which involves visiting all the elementary schools in her area to teach children about health and safety. Each year she joins the 2 BigHearts 5K Run/Walk and attends the Tour de La Porte, a cancer fundraiser. The Whirlpool Foundation even offers an annual scholarship in Abby's name for her work in hospice.
Award Presentation:
Abby was honored at the Stone City Kennel Club show on Sunday, October 8, 2006.
Honorable Mentions: Therapy Dog:
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 - Owner: Michael Bocknack - Plainfield, New Jersey ', 320, 530)) |
 - Owners: Suzanne and Greg Vening - Florence, Mississippi', 470, 470)) |
 - Owner: Mary Ehrhart - Germantown, Tennessee', 450, 420)) |
 - Owners: Debra and Michael Hanowell - Fayetteville, North Carolina', 360, 460)) |
 - Owner: Mariela Piola - Homewood, Alabama', 320, 460)) |
 - Owner: Jane Hirsch - Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina', 320, 500)) |
 - Owner: Debb Taylor - Collierville, Tennessee', 470, 400)) |
 - Owner: Nicki and Doug Gundersen - Lenexa, Kansas', 470, 420)) |
