New York , NY – The American Kennel Club® announced at its quarterly Delegates’ meeting that Tom Freeman of the Channel City Kennel Club has been named a recipient of the AKC ® Community Achievement Award for his coordination of educational programs in Santa Barbara and surrounding communities. Freeman received one of two awards for the third quarter of 2010– Margaret Silverthorn, President of the English Springer Spaniel Club of Long Island, 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.
Freeman, a retired teacher, is the AKC Canine Ambassador Chair for the Channel City (CA) Kennel Club. He coordinates educational programs in schools, pre-schools, youth clubs and libraries in Santa Barbara and surrounding communities. Each month, Channel City Kennel Club members teach children about breed histories, proper dog care and activities with dogs. They also demonstrate how to correctly meet an unfamiliar dog. Students practice properly greeting and petting dogs belonging to club members. Now in its fifth year, the program reaches over 3,000 young people in diverse neighborhoods and even includes Spanish translation.
“AKC applauds Tom for his programs that provide young people with the education they need to become responsible dog owners,” said Sheila Goffe, AKC’s Director of Government Relations. “The far reach of his programs deserves high recognition.”
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
###
The American Kennel Club , founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery, the AKC Museum of the Dog and the AKC Humane Fund. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
To become a fan of the AKC on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/americankennelclub. To follow the AKC on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/akcdoglovers.