The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced recently that Rosemary Redditt of the Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego (California) and Bob Eisele of the Suffolk County Kennel Club (New York) have been honored with AKC Community Achievement Awards for the second quarter of 2012.
The AKC Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized federations and their members. The AKC selects award recipients who promote purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership within their communities or who have successfully introduced, monitored and responded to legislative issues affecting dog ownership.
Rosemary Redditt of the Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego has volunteered for many years with her dogs in search and rescue (SAR). In 1990, she trained her AKC registered Doberman Pinscher, “Katie,” for mission-ready status in Area Search. She was deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Task Force to the 1994 Northridge earthquake as a canine search specialist. AKC Doberman Pinscher “Berry” became Ms. Redditt’s partner in 2000. Berry attained several certifications and the team participated in wilderness, urban, cadaver, water, and disaster searches during their six years as a SAR team.
After retiring from SAR work in 2006, Ms. Redditt and Berry were certified as a therapy dog team and made hundreds of visits to schools, camps, youth groups, retirement homes, and other facilities. She presented programs on selecting a dog as a family pet, SAR work, AKC events, and responsible dog care. “I have had many opportunities over the past 20 years in promoting purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership,” Redditt said.
“Rosemary’s Berry, her Doberman of 15 years, recently passed away,” said Nancy Ledyard, past president of ADPC. “Now more than ever, this achievement means so much.”
Bob Eisele of the Suffolk County Kennel Club has dedicated himself to increasing the club’s engagement within its community by spearheading the initiation and growth of the Suffolk County Kennel Club’s AKC Canine Experience.
Twenty-two area clubs and more than 500 spectators participated in the 2011 event. The 2012 event is scheduled to include an AKC Open Show.
Past AKC Canine Experience events hosted by the SCKC have included dog show matches; obedience, agility, rally, earthdog, and grooming demonstrations; handling classes; AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® tests; mentoring for stewards; and seminars for Junior handlers. Typically, more than 30 breeds are showcased at breed booths and “meet and greet” sessions are held for new exhibitors and new dog owners.
Eisele has also worked with representatives of the town of Smithtown to include a SCKC educational booth alongside business and community booths at the Smithtown Town Fair. He visits local schools and youth organizations to discuss responsible dog ownership and to encourage participation at SCKC events.
Additionally, Eisele has initiated a Legislative Awareness seminar for area kennel clubs and has worked with local and state legislators to demonstrate the AKC’s and SCKC’s value to the community and to encourage the development of dog-friendly venues and parks on Long Island.
“We are pleased to honor Rosemary Redditt, Bob Eisele, and the members of their clubs for their hard work on behalf of their communities. Their dedication to demonstrating the value of purebred dogs as both companions and working canines is truly exceptional. These recipients are very deserving of the AKC Community Achievement Award,” said Sheila Goffe, AKC Director of Government Relations.
Nominations for the AKC Community Achievement Awards are accepted year-round. Up to three honorees are named each quarter. They receive a certificate of appreciation and a $1,000 check payable to the club or federation’s public education and canine legislation efforts.
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced recently that Rosemary Redditt of the Aztec Doberman…