Nominations are now open for the AKC My Canine & Me Award!
Know a child & their dog making a positive impact in their community?
Nominate them for the AKC My Canine & Me Award!
The American Kennel Club AKC My Canine & Me Awards honor children and young adults who are making a positive impact on the world with their dogs or achieving personal growth by utilizing their knowledge of dogs and their dog ownership. Nominations open April 25th through August 31st and winners will be announced in Fall 2023.
To be considered, students must be nominated by a parent, teacher, mentor or another adult familiar with their efforts. They must be in good academic standing and show proof by submitting a report card (for grades K-8), GPA (Grades 9-12) or school transcript with the application.
One award is given in each of the following four categories:
Personal Achievement Award: Celebrating children who have overcome personal challenges with the help of their dog.
Influential Junior Award: Children demonstrating leadership skills with their dog during after-school activities or gatherings and inspiring their peers and teachers as a result.
Innovative Junior Award: Celebrating children who have excelled in honing their creativity through training skills with their dogs.
Community Achievement Award: Celebrating juniors who show commitment and passion through fundraising and contributing to their community for the welfare of dogs.
Winners will be announced annually and awarded $1,000 scholarships which can be used toward tuition, additional training classes or another dog-related activity. Additionally, they will receive a plaque honoring their achievement and a mention and interview on AKC.TV.
Anyone, including the child’s parent, may submit a nomination. Submissions for the AKC My Canine & Me Award must include:
- Proof of good academic standing by submitting a report card (for grades K-8), GPA (Grades 9-12) or school transcript.
- A 500-word-or-less description of the bond between the child and their dog, and the reason for the nomination.
- Parent’s/Nominator’s name(s), address, phone number and e-mail address.
Nominations will be accepted through August 31st, 2023 and should be submitted here, with academic documents (ie. report card, GPA, transcript) sent to communications@akc.org.