The American Kennel Club® announced recently that Danita Slattin, President of the Sussex Spaniel Club of America and resident of Greencastle, Indiana has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Award for promoting responsible dog ownership. Slattin received one of three awards for the third quarter of 2009–the Illinois Capital Kennel Club and Lynne Clements of the Clackamas Kennel Club 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.
Slattin’s work exemplifies what AKC club members can do for their communities on a grassroots level. She is one of the founders of the K9 Alec Foundation, which assists small communities in obtaining police dogs. Slattin also volunteers in her local schools, where she and her Sussex Spaniels educate children about responsible dog ownership. She visits nursing homes with her therapy dog, Reena, and the pair recently participated in their local Walk for Babies, raising over $500 for that cause.
“We applaud Danita and her Sussex Spaniels for volunteering their time to support Greencastle,” said Sheila Goffe, AKC’s Director of Government Relations. “The wide range of Danita’s outreach activities is a great example of the ways in which dog owners can bring a positive message about dog ownership to their communities.”
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. Nominate a club.