March 30, 2015 A bill is scheduled for a hearing TOMORROW (Tuesday, March 31) in the North Carolina Senate State and Local Government Committee that would allow Raleigh law enforcement and peace officers to adopt the animals they worked with or handled during the animal’s service.  A companion House measure (HB 199) has passed committee […]

By Margie RuckerReprinted from: The Canine Chronicle Piper is my Service Dog. Piper does not look like the typical service dog. Piper's undeniable charm, stature, and jolly demeanor elicits amused skepticism and, occasionally, unkind comments. Over time I've learned that all responses are opportunities for me to provide accurate information and to advocate for the […]

Gander Raises Awareness of Service Dogs’ Healing Magic     When the 2014 winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence (ACE) were presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships, the roll call included a former shelter dog who almost lost his life and a military veteran who nearly took his own life. Gander […]

Current New Jersey law allows students with a disability to bring service animals into classrooms and school grounds, but fails to specifically allow them to bring service animals (including service dogs) onto school busses. New Jersey Assembly Bill 3690 and Senate Bill 2601 seek to remedy that oversight by clearly allowing disabled students to bring […]

Yesterday, a resolution was introduced in the California Assembly to recognize September as Service Dog Appreciation Month to honor service and working dogs, and declare “that Californians are grateful for the service and dedication these loyal companions provide for their owners and communities.” AKC encourages California dog owners to thank the author for introducing HR […]

Service dogs, working dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs all provide aid and support to humans. But they're not the same. What's the difference?

In November, a 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Hatty made headlines as the first facility dog to be employed by the Cook County State Attorney’s Office in Illinois. Specifically, Hatty has been tasked with providing courtroom comfort to child victims of violence and sexual assault. Trained and provided by the St. Louis-based organization Duo Dogs, […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

On Veteran’s Day, it’s appropriate to remember and thank those who have selflessly served in our nation’s armed forces.  It’s also an opportunity to consider the needs of those veterans who return home in need of ongoing assistance related to their service. The American Kennel Club strongly supports programs that help veterans receive and maintain […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

June 11, 2015 The New York Assembly has approved a bill that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to an emergency shelter. The AKC supports Assembly Bill 6626, which recognizes the important role these animals provide, and the complex dynamic involving […]

NY Bills Allowing Service & Therapy Dogs to Accompany Domestic Violence Victims Continue to Advance June 4, 2015 The New York Assembly Social Services Committee has approved a bill that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to an emergency shelter. The […]

June 1, 2015 The New York Assembly Social Services Committee is considering a bill on Wednesday, June 3, that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to an emergency shelter. The AKC supports Assembly Bill 6626, which recognizes the important role these […]

Ask NY Committee to Support Allowing Service/Therapy Dogs to Accompany Domestic Violence Victims at Shelters May 26, 2015 The New York Senate Social Services Committee is considering a bill on Thursday, May 28, that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to […]

Today at AKC's Headquarters in New York City, State Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio announced the introduction of Assembly Bill A9300 to recognize the German Shepherd Dog as the official dog of the State of New York. He was joined by Noreen Baxter, AKC's Vice President of Communications, and Anne Lettis of the Responsible Dog Owners Association […]

Jennie LaPrade's three AKC FIT DOG Canaan Dogs, Argos, Jessie, and Kuma love their daily walks. Now they're taking on other dog sports.

When Kevin Holmes went looking for a service dog that would double as a competition teammate two years ago, he had specific idea in mind. His answer? "Natalie" the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Owner-handler Kyllian Genzmer, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, got her Belgian Sheepdog to be her pet. "Legend" ended up being so much more.

We asked a veterinarian about Imodium® (loperamide) for dogs, why you should use the drug cautiously or not at all, dosages, and the safer alternatives.

Minnesota House File 4215 seeks to fund a program that would provide grants to nonprofit organizations that train and place therapy dogs in state and local law enforcement agencies located in Minnesota to aid in treating peace officers suffering from job-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder and to assist in responding to calls involving persons […]

New Bill Information:  HB 1875/SB 1767, as introduced, seek to expand the definition of "racketeering activity" to include committing, conspiring to commit, aiding, attempting to aid, soliciting, coercing, facilitating, or intimidating another person to commit the offense of animal fighting.  SB 1767 is on the calendar of the Senate Judiciary Committee. AKC Government Relations (AKC […]

8-year-old Belgian Malinois "Bullitt" may be getting older, but he's not slowing down. A 2022 NADD Hall of Fame Inductee, he's competing in the 2024 Diving Dogs Challenge.

Bills of interest to Tennessee dog owners are advancing through the state legislative process. New Bill Information:  HB 2266/SB 2030 seek to amend state laws governing rental housing and leases to establish that “reliable documentation” regarding need for a support animal does not include documentation provided through a website, the primary function of which is […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 1253 seeks to create a three-year pilot program to assess the academic and health benefits associated with the use of therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly supports S.1253; and encourages New Jersey residents to express their support of S.1253 with the members of […]

When he was born, he was struggling to survive. Now, Australian Shepherd "Leonidas" is a conformation dog and PTSD service dog.

Three bills of interest to Tennessee dog owners are scheduled for committee hearings next week. HB 1635/SB 1595 seek to prohibit emotional support animals that are not trained or being trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability from being brought into indoor areas of food service establishments. While AKC supports this legislation […]

Some dogs eagerly await car rides, but for other dogs, traveling by car or airplane can be stressful and nausea-inducing. Can you give them Dramamine?

Update: On 1/25/24, SB 1238 was passed with amendments, and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages New Jersey residents to join in expressing support of Senate Bill 1238, which seeks to require employers that serve customers in public facilities to provide training to employees […]

Although dog walks are a great way to provide exercise and enrichment to most dogs, they can be the source of stress for others. How can you help?

"Queue" is an electronic detection K-9 Lab with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office. She helps convict child abusers and traffickers as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.