The American Kennel Club® announced recently that the Lexington Kennel Club (LKC) has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Award for its generous support of many local dog organizations via donations of time, money and supplies. The LKC received one of three awards for the first quarter of 2008- Delaware County Kennel Club and Illini Great Dane 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.
Thanks to the active role it has taken with a variety of organizations, the Lexington Kennel Club has become an integral and highly visible part of its community. In May 2007, club members presented pet oxygen masks to their county's 23 firehouses. A month later, a 10-year-old Dachshund was saved by the use of the mask. Many in the community expressed appreciation for LKC's donation.
Club members have also donated time, money and supplies to Lexington's Meals on Wheels program, the Fayette County 4-H, the Lexington Humane Society and their own 4-Foot Soldiers program, which provides donations and support to the military K-9 dogs and their handlers serving overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas. At its annual dog show, the club displayed photos and letters of gratitude sent from soldiers and their dogs.
Finally, the LKC came up with a creative way to educate the local public about responsible ownership. On a blistering hot day, members set up a canine water and treat station at the Lexington Farmers Market. Owners shopping with their dogs could stop and let their pet take a drink, browse through AKC educational materials and make a donation toward the club's legislative efforts.
“As a result of its diverse and creative programs, the LKC has had a far-reaching impact on both its local community and US soldiers stationed around the world,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC's VP of Communications. “They are serving many different populations of dog lovers and we applaud the club's hard-working members for their generosity.”
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.