Is Your Dog Among the Country's Bravest, Boldest and Best Companions?

New York, NY — Is your canine the kind that always lifts your spirits when you're feeling blue? Do you know a dog that helps the sick feel better? Heard of a pooch who played a role in a dramatic rescue? If so, what better way to pay tribute to a deserving dog than by nominating him for an American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence (AKC ACE)?

An American Kennel Club ACE award is a national honor, given to only five dogs each year who have performed an exemplary act or series of acts, whether large or seemingly small, that have significantly benefited a community or individual. One award is given in the following five categories: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion Dog. Honorable Mentions will be reserved for exceptional entries in each category.

In addition to the prestige of being chosen from hundreds of entries, each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000, an engraved sterling silver collar medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner to Long Beach, Calif., to be honored at the sixth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December, 2006. The engraved names of the five recipients will also be added to the ACE plaque that is permanently displayed on the AKC Library's “Wall of Fame” in New York City. Dogs receiving honorable mention will be awarded an engraved bronze medallion. All entrants will receive an AKC ACE Certificate of Recognition in acknowledgement of their nomination.

Anyone, including the dog owner or handler, may submit a nomination. Submissions for the American Kennel Club Awards for Canine Excellence for 2006 must include:

• A non-returnable, original photograph of the dog.
• A 500-word-or-less description of how the dog has demonstrated excellence.
• Dog's call name, registered name if applicable, breed, age and sex.
• Owner/Nominator name(s), address, phone number. E-mail address if available.

*Please note that to be considered, dogs must be AKC registered or registrable.

Nominations will be accepted until June 15, 2006 and should be sent to:

Ronald N. Rella: ACE Awards 2006
The American Kennel Club
260 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10016