The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to welcome the ten students who have been chosen to participate in the AKC Internship Program. The program–open to college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs–is designed to further their professional development as well as help the AKC identify potential employees with experience in both AKC operations and the sport.

The AKC interns will work on specific project assignments aimed at their interests and career goals, and also receive an overall orientation on all aspects of the AKC. The following interns are with the AKC for a period of eight weeks, from June 7th to July 30th.

New York:

• Michelle Gross – Editorial. Michelle is originally from Manalapan, NJ and attends Hofstra University where she is majoring in Journalism. She has been a part of the dog fancy for as long as she can remember with Tibetan Terriers and Old English Sheepdogs. Michelle has participated in AKC conformation shows, including the Tibetan Terrier National Specialty. In 2003, Michelle interned in the AKC Marketing Department, working on projects such as promoting the sale of DOGNY sculptures and conducting demographic research on fanciers.
• Kristy Siefkin – Executive Office. Kristy is a native of Sacramento, CA and graduated from Duke University, in Durham, NC with a degree in Psychology. Kristy has trained and shown dogs in Jr. Showmanship, obedience and conformation and has her provisional AKC Jr. Showmanship judging license. Kristy has volunteered as a trainer for service and therapy dogs. She has also presented public speeches and demonstrations about dog training throughout California. Kristy interned in the AKC Communications Department in 2003 and received an AKC scholarship in 2000.
• Megan Mybeck – Communications Department. Megan is from Phoenix, AZ and attends Arizona State University where she is majoring in Secondary Education (English). She has had purebred dogs all her life, and along with her family shows and breeds English Cocker Spaniels. She participates in conformation events and competed in Jr. Showmanship for five years. Megan has her provisional AKC Jr. Showmanship judging license.
• Emily Bisso – Office of the Secretary. Emily is a native of New Orleans, LA and attends Washington and Lee University where she is double majoring in English and Psychology. Emily, an Irish Setter and English Setter fancier, is a member of the Irish Setter Club of America. She actively competed in Jr. Showmanship for eight years and is a three-time AKC scholarship recipient.

Raleigh:

• Eve Rivinus – Services. Eve is from Canby, OR and will start a master's program in social work at the University of Washington in the fall. Eve has Beagles and has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for 11 years, participating in conformation, Jr. Showmanship and obedience. She judged the Jr. Showmanship preliminaries at the 2003 AKC Eukanuba National Championship and is a three-time AKC scholarship recipient.
• Peter Kubacz – Breeders Education. Peter is from Jackson, NJ and is attending Monmouth University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Peter has been involved in the sport of dogs all his life. Along with his parents, Peter shows and breeds Irish Setters. At the age of 16, he became the youngest person in the history of Irish Setters to handle a dog to a Best of Breed win at the Irish Setter Club of America national specialty. Peter is a three-time AKC scholarship recipient.
• Whitney Meeks – Companion Events. Whitney is attending Elon University in Burlington, NC and is currently studying Corporate Communications. Whitney is from Fuquay-Varina, NC. She became involved in dog shows through her grandmother, who has been in the sport her entire life. Whitney participated in Jr. Showmanship for seven years. She was a finalist in Jr. Showmanship at the AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship in 2001. Whitney was an AKC intern in 2002 in the Support Services department and in 2003 in the Judging Operations/Handlers department.
• Danica Burge – AKC Booth. Danica is a native of San Jose, CA and has just graduated from San Jose State University of California with a degree in Kinesiology. Along with her family, Danica has been involved in many aspects of the sport of purebred dogs, including showing, breeding and club activities. She has been active in the San Francisco Bay Scottish Terrier Club, the Scottish Terrier Club of America and the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America. She has been a handler's assistant and has completed conformation championships on more than 25 dogs. Danica interned in the AKC Canine Legislation department in 2003 and in the Judges Education department in 2002.
• Allison Johnston – Canine Health Foundation. Allison is from Wilmington, NC and attends North Carolina State University where she is double majoring in Biological Sciences and Psychology. Allison has Papillons and an Affenpinscher. She has competed in obedience and agility, but concentrated on participating in Jr. Showmanship. Allison continues to help with obedience classes on school breaks. She is also a volunteer at the North Carolina State University Vet school working under a scientist who is researching cancer in canines. Allison is a two-time AKC scholarship recipient.
• Correy Krickeberg – Audit and Control. Correy is from Plano, Illinois and is studying Finance and Strategy at the Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester. Correy has been showing dogs since he was 15 and worked as a professional handler for six years, primarily exhibiting working, sporting and terrier breeds. Correy is a recipient of a 2004 AKC scholarship.