Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club, Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club and Spokane Kennel Club Honored With AKC Community Achievement Awards
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announces that the Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club (IN), the Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club (MD) and the Spokane Kennel Club (WA) are winners of the fourth quarter AKC Community Achievement Awards for hosting successful AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day events.
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 responsible dog ownership within their communities or who have successfully introduced, monitored and responded to legislative issues affecting dog ownership.
“The efforts made by the Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club, the Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club and the Spokane Kennel Club in their communities to promote responsible dog ownership are exemplary,” said Lisa Peterson, AKC Director of Communications. “They serve as a shining example of the good works accomplished by local AKC clubs.”
With demonstrations from police K-9 teams, agility dogs and obedience dogs, as well as face painting, canine microchipping and massages, the Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club (NIKC) Responsible Dog Ownership Day was one for all members of the family to enjoy. With more than 750 people in attendance, the community collected and donated 450 pounds of dog food for the Fort Wayne Pet Food Pantry.
The NIKC held two Dog Showcases, where the public could meet certain AKC breeds and club members provided information and answered questions pertaining to their breed. Breed rescue groups also had adoptable dogs onsite available for greeting, and many people submitted adoption applications as a result.
The Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club (NMKC)
Responsible Dog Ownership Day was the largest in club history. Using AKC’s “My Dog Can Do That!” initiative as their event theme, NMKC’s demonstrators, vendors, service and rescue groups each had interactive elements in their presentations and displays. Covering various aspects of responsible dog ownership including canine health, training, breed and AKC Canine PartnersSM information, search and rescue dogs, a children’s photo contest and AKC Canine Good Citizen® testing, NMKC enhanced public education and increased participation at their event. In addition to the club’s many booths and demonstrations, NMKC also held raffles to raise money for the AKC Canine Health Foundation, the NMKC Dog Emergency Fund and local dog parks. Furthering the efforts made by the club, the Maryland Governor presented NMKC with a State Citation and the Harford County Executive proclaimed September 23rd as Responsible Dog Ownership Day.
The Spokane Kennel Club (SKC)
SKC hosted a Responsible Dog Ownership Day event in conjunction with other clubs in its community, offering educational presentations, AKC Companion Event demonstrations, and AKC Canine Good Citizen® testing as well as opportunities to speak with representatives of different breed clubs and rescue organizations. With 25 dog-related booths at the event, SKC and other participating clubs were able to educate the public on various topics regarding responsible dog ownership.
SKC’s Responsible Dog Ownership Day, held in association with the community’s Valleyfest event, had 5,000 people in attendance. Through this yearly event, the club strives to create new ways to reach more of the public.
Nominations for the AKC Community Achievement Award are accepted year-round. Honorees receive a certificate of appreciation and a $1,000 check payable to their AKC club or AKC-recognized federation to further public education and government relations efforts.
Northeastern Indiana Kennel Club, Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club and Spokane Kennel Club Honored…