The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC- registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); and the North American Flyball Association (NAFA). For more information on how to apply for AKC recognition of these titles, go to: Title Recognition Program. Read on to meet some of the All-American Dogs who are recent achievers in these sports.
AKC Therapy Dog Title
The AKC Therapy Dog Title program offers titles based on the amount of service that a therapy team has volunteered, giving more dogs the opportunity to earn the honor. Dogs also must be certified by an AKC-recognized therapy dog organization. The titles are:
- AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN). Must have completed 10 visits.
- AKC Therapy Dog (THD). Must have completed 50 visits.
- AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA). Must have completed 100 visits.
- AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX). Must have completed 200 visits.
- AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD). Must have completed 400 visits.
We salute these All-Americans who are recent recipients of the THDD title for 400 or more visits!
Wylie Of Waverly THDD CGC owned by Patricia Wheeler of Livermore, CA
Wylie was adopted in October 2014 from the Animal Rescue Foundation, which was founded by Tony La Russa. She was hard to place because she was an escape artist and was found running loose in a rural area. But, with the help of a professional trainer and her new friend – Pat’s black Lab named Maddie – Wylie finally settled down.
In February 2015, Wylie embarked on her career as a therapy dog, certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She has visited elementary and middle schools, an adult school, a community college, nursing homes and care homes, a shelter for battered and homeless women and children, a memory care facility, a day program for adults with mental health and addiction issues, and more.
“Without a doubt, her favorite command is ‘WORK.’ She’s always ready to go and do whatever is needed to help the people she visits.” She completed 400 visits in May 2019.
Pat, who handles both Wyllie and Maddie, is a tester/observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She has written books and articles and given presentations on therapy dogs.
Congratulations also to these dogs who earned the THDD:
- Olson’s Yankee Doodle Dandy THDD owned by Doty Olson of Kingwood, TX
- Zippy V THDD owned by Charlene Sheets of Goose Creek, SC
- Trooper Velleri THDD CGC owned by Candace J. Velleri and Austin Finley of Melbourne, FL
Barn Hunt Association
The BHA enables all dogs to participate in the sport of hunting for vermin. Dogs track rats safely enclosed in sturdy tubes that are hidden among hay bales. The titles range from Novice level to Champion to Champion Excellent, and since March, Crazy 8s. Go to www.barnhunt.com for more information.
Congratulations to All-American Dogs who recently received recognition of their BHA titles:
RATCHX15
- MACH PACH Bradley’s Brandy RN FDC MXG MJS MXP6 MXPS MJP5 MJPS PAX2 OF XFP T2B2 T2BP2 RATCHX16 CZ8P3 DN CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Alison and Kevin Bradley of Fayetteville, AR
CZ8B
- Emberly RN OA OAJ XF CAA FCAT SWN RATM CZ8B DMA owned by Kathryn Smiley of Fall Branch, TN
RATN
- You Make Me Dizzy Miss Lizzy RATN CGC owned by Nancy Kwain of Orland Park, IL
- Lucky Appollo BN RE THD RATN CGCA TKI owned by Evelyn Munno of Cape May, NJ
- Sallie O Mallie RATN CGCA CGCU TKN owned by Bonnie Cook of Corrales, NM
- Sir Henley CAA BCAT RATN owned by Gary and Tracy Cann of Dacula, GA
RATO
- Emma Written in The Stars Mecklenburg ACT1 RATO DJ CGC owned by Roberta Mecklenburg of Elk Grove Village, IL
RATS
- Shepherd’s Howl at The Moon NA NAJ OAP AJP OFP RATS CGCA TKN owned by Katie McLaughlin Shepherd and Michael Shepherd of Simpsonville, KY
North American Diving Dogs
NADD offers titles in both distance dock jumping and air retrieve for all dogs. Dogs receive titles based on how far they jump and only compete in the same division with dogs that jump similar distances. For more information go to www.northamericadivingdogs.com
Congratulations to this All-American Dog for receiving AKC recognition of the top-level Dock Elite (DE) title for making five jumps over 23 feet:
Thompson’s Jaxon CD RI DE CGC owned by Alisha Olson of Ft. Worth, TX
Jaxon was born in February 2016 and had his first pool experience that April. He learned that he loved to swim. After a few swim sessions he started to jump in after his toy from a running start, and Alisha knew that they needed to find a dock the next summer.
In June 2018 Jaxon had his first dock diving lesson at Dallas Air Dogs. He was a natural. At his first NADD trial the following weekend he jumped 22’6 and earned his Dock Master title by the end of the weekend. He improved each month and he earned his Dock Elite title on September 2, 2018, at the NADD trial at Dallas Air Dogs in Midlothian, Texas.
Jaxon is working on earning his Dock Elite Advanced title and should have it by the end of this summer. He jumped a personal best in June with a 26’ jump. He has also started competing in air retrieve. Jaxon also competes in AKC Obedience and Rally trials. He has his CD title and needs one more qualifying leg to earn his CDX. He loves to work, but his absolute favorite thing is swimming and dock diving.
DM
- Trinity Jean Norman BCAT DM CGC Owned by Kimberly J. Norman of Valrico, FL
- Miracle’s Mother Teresa DM DS owned by Sharod T. Johnson of Chula Vista, CA
- Rigby Pelzer BCAT DM owned by Carrie and Cole Pelzer of Gainesville, FL
- He’s All Tuckered Out DM owned by Taylor Landers of Notasulga, AL
DS
- Saylor Davis-Lopez DS DJ CGC owned by Benito Lopez and Heather Davis-Lopez of McAllen, TX
- Miracle’s Mother Teresa DM DS owned by Sharod T. Johnson of Chula Vista, CA
DMX
- Lexie XXVI DE DMX owned by Janice Costa of Bethpage, NY
DJ
- Emma Written in The Stars Mecklenburg ACT1 RATO DJ CGC owned by Roberta Mecklenburg of Elk Grove Village, IL
- Paddycreek’s Ghost DJ CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Madison and Lindy Larson of Lodi, CA
- Roy Knowles DJ CGCA CGCU TKP owned by Kelly Knowles of Herndon, VA
DN
- Fergus Of Chapman Clan DN owned by Susan Chapman of Sugar Land, TX
DJX3
- Wylie Texas Fottler Sissie DCAT DJX3 owned by Gordon Kane and Lori Lagasse of Allen, TX
DSA
- Erynne’s Snickerdoodle OA OAJ XF DSA CGC TKA owned by Erynne Day of Portland, OR