The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce that Ann McGloon has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Award for her dedication to educating the public about the sport of purebred dogs. Ann McGloon is a member of the Sussex Spaniel Club of America (SSCA). She received one of three awards for the second quarter of 2008- Elaine Shoe-Ezell of the Garden State Golden Retriever Club in Roselle Park, N.J. and Suzanne E. Benchoff of the Chambersburg Area Kennel Club in Arendtsville, Penn. 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.
Ann McGloon is very active with her three Sussex Spaniels. In addition to her success in the show, companion and performance rings, McGloon has trained her dogs to do therapy work, search and rescue, and she takes her dogs to local schools and a Juvenile detention center to educate young people about responsible dog ownership. McGloon has proven herself critical to the education of current and future fanciers with her contributions as editor of the SSCA newsletter, the Sussex Sentinel and her contributions to fancier publications such as Gun Dog Magazine and the book Urban Gun Dogs. She is a member of the SSCA's Performance Committee where she oversees all elements of the Sussex hunt tests through to success.
“I'm constantly amazed at how devoted she is to the well-being of the breed,” Julie Reis, SSCA member, wrote in her nomination. “I think we could learn a lot from Ann's accomplishments and the goals she has set for herself and her Sussex spaniels.”
“It's great to see people as actively involved with their dogs as Ann McGloon.” said Noreen Baxter, AKC's VP of Communications. “She has done so much to support her club and her community and we are pleased to honor her with this award.”
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.