The American Kennel Club (AKC) is proud to announce the Recipients and Honorable Mentions for the 2007 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.
The recipients in the categories of Exemplary Companion, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Service, and Therapy will each receive 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 1-2, 2007. A local presentation will also be held for each recipient at an AKC dog show near their hometown. Information on local presentations will be posted on our Web site when it becomes available.
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American Kennel Club Awards for Canine Excellence 2007 Recipients
| Therapy | |
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Penni, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, owned by Florence Scarinci of Franklin Square, NY Penni is a 10-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi who spends her time comforting others as a therapy dog at local nursing homes, hospitals and schools. Penni found her calling as a young puppy when her owner Florence Scarinici took her to visit a nursing home for socialization. Penni's calm disposition and the comfort she gave to patients made the transition to therapy dog a natural one. At the age of two, Penni began her visits to the Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf. It is there, Florence insists, that Penni has had her greatest successes. Students get to play with her at the start of their day, which puts smiles on their faces and improves their focus on class work throughout the day. Penni plays fetch with the kids, a routine she began herself one day to encourage the students to interact with her. Penni also has several titles in Agility and she demonstrates her skills much to the children's amusement. Maybe most importantly, she has a natural sense for people's emotions. She will pick out a child who is feeling down and crawl into his lap, cheering him up with her soft kisses. Florence takes Penni to educational demonstrations at elementary schools, colleges and senior centers to educate others about the important work therapy dogs do and the elements of responsible dog ownership. Most recently, Penni has added to her schedule an additional nursing home, a residence for neglected boys and a Reading to Dogs program. Florence admiringly states that, "By just being herself, sitting on laps, licking faces, she brings smiles to faces and lights up eyes." Penni will be honored at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia show on Saturday, November 17, 2007. |
| Companion | |
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Rumor, a Rottweiler, owned by Francisco Sanguino & Steph Anderson of South Sioux City, NE Rumor is a four-year-old Rottweiler belonging to teen-aged Francisco Sanguino, and the two have had much in common from the outset of their partnership. Both Rumor and Francisco came to foster parent Steph Anderson from difficult situations: Rumor had been returned to Steph by a previous owner after living in a neglectful situation and Francisco had come as a foster child with a troubled past. Francisco showered Rumor with affection and in return she has flourished, granting Francisco the kind of unconditional love she had previously been afraid to show. Together they learned to open their hearts to others and that the world was not as cold and lonely as they had previously known it to be. Rumor guided Francisco to one of the most natural outlets for a dog and human team- the sport of purebred dogs. This has allowed Francisco to become involved in many aspects of the sport -- Conformation, Junior Showmanship, Obedience and Rally. They have even become involved in therapy work. Steph had this to say about the inseparable pair: "Rumor, through everything she has taught to Francisco and brought to his life, has changed this young man's life forever. He is looking to the future and making plans -- something he has never done before. Through unconditional love, Rumor gave him hope." Rumor was honored at the Sioux Empire Kennel Club show on Saturday, October 27, 2007. |
| Service | |
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Holly, a Shetland Sheepdog, owned by Shanna Wilkinson of Magna, UT Holly is a six year old Shetland Sheepdog and constant companion to owner Shanna Wilkinson. When Shanna was 14, her mother, a Sheltie breeder/exhibitor, gave her the choice to keep a puppy from their current litter so she and the dog could participate in various AKC events. There was one puppy in the litter who became sickly and the vet told the family that she didn't think the puppy would survive. Shanna spent time caring for the puppy and through the struggle, they bonded. Shanna named the puppy Holly and decided to keep her. She didn't know it at the time, but this decision gave Holly the chance to pay Shanna back for saving her life. Three years later, Holly began displaying unusual behaviors around Shanna. Following these attentive behaviors, Shanna would have a seizure. Soon after, Shanna was diagnosed with epilepsy and was having 7-10 grand maal seizures a day. It was discovered that Holly has the remarkable and extremely rare ability to predict Shanna's seizures before even Shanna knows about them. The two went to a training school together so Holly could be trained as Shanna's service dog. Holly has helped Shanna regain her independence and overcome her fears not only by offering companionship but by giving her enough warning to get into a safe place before she has a seizure. Together, they have successfully earned titles in Agility, Herding, Obedience and Rally. Shanna and Holly have visited elementary school classrooms to help educate others about the wonderful things service dogs can do and to teach children how to care for dogs. Shanna wrote in her nomination, "Holly is more than just another dog; she is my life, my love, my protector, my everything. I believe everything happens for a reason and Holly was sent here to watch over me." Holly was honored at the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club on Saturday, October 13, 2007. |
| Search and Rescue | |
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Ranger, a Labrador Retriever, owned by Captain Kerry W. Foster of Shreveport, LA Ranger, an eight-year-old Labrador Retriever, began his work as a search and rescue dog for the Shreveport Fire Department in 2001. Ranger conducts approximately 40 search operations each year in Louisiana and parts of Texas and Arkansas, but perhaps Ranger and his owner Captain Kerry Foster's most memorable moment is the time they served in New Orleans in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina. Ranger searched 2,800 collapsed homes between March and July 2006. During this time they searched for victims' remains and made more than a dozen important recoveries. Despite injuries that Ranger sustained as a result of his hard work he was always eager to get back to his job. Not long after Ranger's arrival in New Orleans, crowds began to gather to watch Ranger work. Contractors, FEMA personnel, firefighters and public officials gathered in the crowd. Ranger's enthusiasm and dedication to his task inspired those who came to watch him. Soon, FEMA began organizing groups of prominent officials to observe Ranger and he was asked to perform demonstrations for White House officials and dignitaries. Captain Foster stated in his nomination, "Every time he goes to work it is amazing to see him storm the woods or negotiate the rubble in search of those who have lost their lives to tragedy. When he boards a boat in search of a drowning victim... it is astounding to watch him pat the water to break the surface tension to release more scent." Ranger will be honored at the Metairie Kennel Club show on Saturday, December 8, 2007. |
| Law Enforcement | |
| Baton Rouge Police Department K9 Division (Ace, Bandit, Buster, Jake, Philos, Relic, Rosco, Rowdy, Stone, Zain) In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the population of Baton Rouge doubled overnight. A sudden influx of refugees filled every available hotel room, rental unit and shelter, with more people spilling into the private homes of family members and good samaritans. Add to that the presence of crews from what seemed like every media outlet across the country, military and federal responders and the scene became quiet chaotic. Needless to say, the city's law enforcement agency was stretched thin when calls for service exploded. Crimes such as auto thefts and robberies spiked significantly. The Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) had to mobilize immediately or face the possibility of an influx of gangs and displaced drug dealers establishing a toehold in the community. The BRPD's K9 team of 9 German Shepherds and 1 Belgian Malinois faced this very real situation head on with the professionalism and determination expected from any police officer. They responded to 3,740 calls, recovered 47 stolen vehicles and made 318 arrests. Working during the hottest, muggiest time of the year for Baton Rouge with extended shifts and no days off, the K9s worked just as hard as their fellow officers. Sergeant Robert Glaser, a member of the K9 unit said in his nomination, "Without a doubt, our K9s were instrumental in making the City of Baton Rouge a safer place to live." To show their continued dedication to the public, the BRPD K9 unit has asked that its award money be donated to the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital in honor of a fellow K9 handler's daughter who was a patient there. Sgt. Glaser writes, "We would like the donation in her honor. Prior to her death, she named Col. Bryan Taylor's K9. The name that she picked...ACE." "Usually only an individual dog is honored with the ACE, however in this unique situation we could not bring ourselves to single out only one hero, and therefore were inspired to bestow the award upon this entire team of dogs," said Ronald Rella, AKC Director of Project Administration and member of the judging panel. The K-9 Division of the Baton Rouge Police Department will be honored at the Metairie Kennel Club show on Saturday, December 8, 2007. |
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Ace, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Bryan Taylor |
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Bandit, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Jason Sibley |
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Buster, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Scott Montgomery |
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Jake, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Lyle André |
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Philos, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Robert P. Glaser |
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Relic, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by William Clarida |
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Rosco, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Stephonne Lewis |
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Rowdy, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Michael Walker |
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Stone, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Craig Tibbetts |
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Zain, a Belgian Malinois, owned by the City of Baton Rouge (LA), handled by Donnie DiStefano |
Honorable Mentions
| Therapy | |
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Buddy, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, owned by Shirley & Richard Sroka of Ballground, GA |
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Chester, a Toy Poodle, owned by Lisa Cohen of Medford, NJ |
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Fritz, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by Scott and Amanda Hackbarth of Spanaway, WA |
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Hoyt, a Labrador Retriever, owned by Timothy & Kathleen Pendergast of Orangeville, CA |
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Magic, a Bloodhound, owned by Nancy & James Digby of Loveland, CO |
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Rowdy, an American Staffordshire Terrier, owned by Mike & Linda Bates of Downey, CA |
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Rupert, a Standard Poodle, owned by Elizabeth & David Daniels of Woodbury, CT |
| Companion | |
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Annie, a Doberman Pinscher, owned by Donna Rock of La Combe, LA |
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Joey, a Golden Retriever, owned by Celeste Mills of Van Nuys, CA |
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Luath, a Standard Poodle, owned by Elizabeth DeHaye of Auburne, AL |
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Mandy, an English Springer Spaniel, owned by Ruth, Amanda & Samuel Barton of Minot, ME |
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Patrick, a Golden Retriever, owned by Elaine Shoe-Ezell of Roselle Park, NJ |
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Sandy, a Golden Retriever, owned by Jeff Cummings of Oxford, NC |
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Shadow, a Labrador Retriever, owned by Charles & Jamie Froberg of Miramar, FL |
| Service | |
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Charlie, a Toy Poodle, owned by Debbie Jones-Wighs of Salina, KS |
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Diesel, a Bulldog, owned by Rebecca Burlage of Mineral, VA |
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Grace, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, owned by Michelle Spencer of Beaverton, OR |
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I.C., an Australian Shepherd, owned by Thomas Hutchings of Concord, CA |
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Magy, a Golden Retriever, owned by Mike Perketh of Vacaville, CA |
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Pepsea, a Dalmatian, owned by Carol Sundell of Canton, MI |
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Terra, a Doberman Pinscher, owned by Laura Holum of Greeley, CO |
| Search and Rescue | |
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Austin, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by Richard Grant of Williamstown, NJ |
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Cheyenne, a Bloodhound, owned by Sheila Shoults of San Antonio, TX |
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Hero, a German Shepherd Dog, owned by Heidy Drawdy of Coolidge, GA |
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Jeb, a Bluetick Coonhound, owned by Paula Xan McCollum of Boise, ID |
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Simi, a Belgian Malinois, owned by Allen Rossi of Rockville, MD |
| Law Enforcement | |
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Maggie, a Bloodhound, owned by Coby Webb of Banning, CA |
See all the 2007 ACE nominees
