New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® announced today that Tampa Bay Kennel Club has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Award for its dedication to promoting responsible dog ownership. The club received one of three awards this quarter – Pamela Duke and Carol Linger of Lompoc, Calif. and Cheryl Costello of Wilmington, Del., also received recognition.
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.
Tampa Bay Kennel Club (TBKC) was nominated for a Community Achievement Award by Sally Alford, coordinator of the Hillsborough County Florida 4-H Dog Project, for the club’s efforts to assist in the continued success of the 4-H Project.
Volunteer instructors for 4-H training classes are recruited from TBKC’s membership. The club members impart the skills necessary for 8-to-18-year-old children to participate as handlers in 4-H and AKC dog shows. Additionally, a $20,000 donation from the TBKC has led to the establishment of an annual scholarship offered to former 4-H members from central Florida who are seriously committed to dogs.
TBKC members and AKC judges donated their time and expenses to cover the judging assignments of the annual Florida State Fair Dog Show, and TBKC financed the purchase of agility and rally equipment for the 4-H club. In addition, a 2005 Junior Showmanship clinic sponsored by TBKC and conducted by AKC judges, professional handlers, and former junior handlers proved overwhelmingly popular, with more than 100 attendees.
“Thanks to their generosity,” says Alford, “the Florida 4-H program has shows year-round where 4-H members can compete in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, and Rally.”
“The Tampa Bay Kennel Club’s support of their local 4-H club is a great success story in the ongoing association of the 4-H movement and AKC clubs around the country,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC’s VP of Communications. “Combined, these two organizations have so much to offer today’s generation of youth. The American Kennel Club salutes their accomplishments.”
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. To nominate a club, visit https://www.akc.org/public_education/
community_achievement.cfm.