Every year, the American Kennel Club honors five outstanding dogs with the Award for Canine Excellence (ACE).
This is our 16th year honoring our canine heroes and the winners are more amazing than ever before and we want to introduce you to them.
1. Pablo, the Belgian Malinois
Pablo is a nine-year-old Military Working Dog, who is a certified Explosive Detection Dog by the US Air Force, and is assigned to the Marine Corps Police Department in Albany, Georgia. Pablo regularly serves on Secret Service details for visiting dignitaries. In the past year, Pablo has provided protection for President Obama, Vice President Biden, Former President Clinton and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Pablo also regularly attends Sunday morning church service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia to help protect Former President Carter while he teaches Bible Study. Pablo participates in nearly every career day at the local schools, and many non-profit and charity events in his local community.
2. George, the Great Dane
George comes from the Service Dog Project, which trains dogs to help the mobility impaired. The Great Dane was paired with Bella, a 10-year-old girl with a rare genetic disorder called Morquio Syndrome. This disorder makes mobility exceptionally difficult and requires Bella to undergo many operations. Before she met George, Bella used a wheelchair or crutches to move around, but George has given Bella the strength and determination to walk and take part in activities she otherwise would not have been able to do. George and Bella have an inseparable bond and he will do anything for her. He has helped her gain confidence, independence and happiness.
3. Wynd, the Rottweiler
For her owner Renice, Wynd is an once-in-a-lifetime therapy dog. Wynd has served on the therapy dog team for military surviving family members at The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors National Seminar in DC for the past three Memorial Days and has volunteered at the Survivor Outreach Service booth at military events many times. Wynd is also a regular at the Hampton Veterans Hospital Domiciliary program, interacting and working closely with veterans with PTSD and substance abuse, and visits at the assisted living center at the VA hospital as well. During the school year, Wynd visits Suffolk Humane Society’s BARKS reading program, encouraging a love of reading and helping many kids overcome their fear of dogs.
4. Ty, the German Shepherd Dog
Ty, officially known as K-9 Ty Ty Road RN CGC, is an eight-year-old German Shepherd Dog trained in human remains detection. Over the span of his six year career, Ty has become the go-to K-9 in his department for recovery searches, helping to bring closure to families that have lost loved ones. He has been deployed on over 60 missions with great success, particularly in his specialty of water recovery. Ty is also cross-trained for live find search and disaster work, and serves as the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue public relations dog. He’s a natural with all ages and eats up the attention he gets after putting on demonstrations.
5. Mufasa, the Bernese Mountain Dog
Mufasa, who won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2014, is as an ambassador to his breed, purebred dogs and the American Kennel Club. This Bernese Mountain Dog greets visitors to his owners’ dog wash business (where he has a regular fan club) and his presence alone helps the local community to learn about AKC and responsible breeders. As a well-trained, excellent example of his breed, Mufasa helps to open the lines of communication about responsible breeders, and how these breeders are great ways to add a healthy and happy dog to the family. While some may have negative impressions of the dog show world and the life of an AKC show dog, Mufasa shows them that most “show dogs” are first and foremost well-loved family companions.
These heroes won top honors in the categories of Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue, and Exemplary Companion dog.
“Whether they serve as uniformed service, search and rescue, therapy, service, or exemplary companion dogs, each ACE nomination we receive is a testimony to the loyalty, devotion and strength dogs give to us,” said AKC Spokesperson Gina DiNardo. “Each dog’s devotion to their work and the impact they make in their community is an inspiration to dog lovers everywhere.”
All of the ACE recipients will receive $1,000 to be awarded to a pet-related charity of their choice, a one year pet insurance policy from Pet Partners, Inc. and an engraved sterling silver medallion to be presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Florida on Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13, 2015.
WATCH the owner and handler of one of the 2014 winners recount their experience: