The AKC works with non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog program and the AKC Search & Rescue program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); the North American Flyball Association (NAFA); and UpDog Challenge disc organization. For information on how to apply, go to: AKC Title Recognition Program. Read on to meet 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:
- 600 visits to earn the AKC Therapy Dog Supreme (THDS) title.
- 400 visits to earn the AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD) title.
- 200 visits to earn the AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX) title.
- 100 visits to earn the AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA) title.
- 50 visits to earn the AKC Therapy Dog (THD) title.
- 10 visits to earn the AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN) title.
Congratulations to the All American Dogs who have earned the new Therapy Dog Supreme title, having made 600 visits:
Jessie RN THDS CGCA owned by Leslie Parish of Big Sandy, TX
Jessie was adopted from BARC in Houston, TX, in 2013. She was immediately put into obedience classes, earning her CGC and CGCA the same year.
“We began participating in rally, and she received her Rally Novice title, but she did not enjoy competing,” Leslie said. “We tried scent work, but she would only look for one scent, vetiver, because it was in the lotion I used. Her trainer and I kept coming back to the idea of her personality being perfect for therapy dog work.”
Jessie was temperament tested by Caring Critters in September 2015, and the team began therapy dog visits in November 2015. They joined Canines for Christ Therapy Dog Ministry in 2017 and are currently volunteering with them. Relocating to Big Sandy, TX, in 2019, Leslie and Jessie began visiting Watkins-Logan Veterans Home in Tyler. They also work with AccentCare Hospice in Longview, TX, providing a pet therapy ministry to hospice patients and their families. Additionally, they visit assisted living facilities, skilled nursing, memory care, hospice, Lighthouse for the Blind, veterans, colleges during finals, foster children, 911 call centers, and funerals/memorial services.
“People warmly respond to Jessie, whether because of her soft brown eyes looking up at them, or her desire to bring comfort and love to them through her gentle nature. Instinctively, she will go straight to the person who is suffering from depression or chronic pain first, even if it is a family member, and lay on or next to their feet after petting. Her calm, gentle spirit lifts their gloom and brings hope and joy. She shares her special love and God’s grace with all age groups,” Leslie said.
Jessie earned her THDS title on Feb. 26, 2022, at Arbor Grace Assisted Living in Kilgore, TX.
Cooper Of Zircon Ln THDS owned by Kathi Huenemann of Maple Grove, MN
“Cooper – aka Sleepy Cooper Dog – has been a not-so-active therapy dog for over nine years and recently made his 800th visit!” Kathi said.
He regularly visits the University of Minnesota, MSP Airport, libraries, and schools. He is part of the Pet Partners Animal Assisted Crisis Response team and has had a few deployments.
“He is very relaxed during every visit but has shown the ability to know when more is needed from him,” Kathi said. “He has been known to curl up next to an anxious person or put his head into the lap of a grieving traveler. He will wrap his paw around the arm of someone petting him in his favorite spot. Cooper’s motto is: ‘You should be petting me,’ and he is dedicated to making that possible.”
When not on a visit Cooper can be found sleeping upside down on the couch, chewing on a stick, or pulling the squeaker out of a new toy.
Pearl The Pug THDS CGC owned by Susan Tauber of West Bloomfield, MI
Pearl earned the new AKC Therapy Dog Supreme title after completing her 600th visit on April 29, 2022, with students at Lakewood Elementary School in White Lake, MI.
She was able to complete the required number of therapy dog visits despite Covid restrictions, thanks to certified virtual visits through Pets Together and with the return of in-person visits, including those set up by Fur Angels.
“This is quite an accomplishment considering that 9-year-old Pearl is blind. She does not let her handicap get in her way. She was certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs in April 2016, even after losing her left eye and having no vision in her right eye,” Susan said.
“What she does have is a calm, friendly, silly, and loving demeanor that enables her to befriend people of all ages in a variety of situations, such as hospital and school visits and listening to children read her books,” Susan said.
Pearl is always dressed for the occasion, either in holiday attire or colorful outfits short enough for people to pet her.
Susan first fostered and then adopted Pearl from Michigan Pug Rescue in November 2015.
Maurice Henry Iwamoto THDS CGCU TKI VHMA owned by Kristie Amber Iwamoto of San Pablo, CA
Maurice, a 9-year-old tan Chihuahua mix, started life as a rescue puppy. He has been a therapy dog since 2014, when he was a year old.
Over his career with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Maurice has volunteered for two assisted living facilities, a drug rehabilitation center, several elementary school reading programs, and a library reading program (visiting seven public libraries in Contra Costa County). He also participates in welcome home parades for soldiers returning from overseas, and he has done more than 200 Humane Education classes (teaching children how to safely approach a new dog for the first time) for Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation in their Pet Hug Pack therapy dog program.
During quarantine, Maurice did virtual visits with Pets Together, a non-profit that brings therapy dogs virtually to assisted living homes and adults with special needs. His 600th visit was on Feb. 1, 2020, reading with kids at the HALO Angels Ears group in Pinole, CA.
“He’s been ‘Supreme’ for a while; he was just waiting for a title to confirm it!” Kristi said. “Chihuahuas are sometimes seen as short-tempered and nervous, but Maurice is eight pounds of confidence and sweetness.”
Yogi THDS CGC owned by Lawrence S. Feinberg of Tampa, FL
When 26-year-old Yogi was a puppy, Lawrence thought he looked like a bear. As he was “smarter than the average bear,” Lawrence said, he named him Yogi.
When he was about 3 months old, Yogi was taken to his first obedience class. He just wanted to play with the other dogs. The instructor thought he was a distraction, and the pair was asked to leave the group. So, Lawrence took him to a park where they trained, walked, and socialized. Later, he took Yogi back to group training for a skills competition, which he won!
Because Yogi loves people, becoming a therapy dog seemed like a good fit. They began training, and some of the classes were held at a nursing home. Yogi made a great impression with his tricks; at the end of the class, the trainer called it the “Yogi Show.”
Next came CGC and certified therapy dog testing. Lawrence and Yogi trained, and Yogi passed with flying colors, earning doggy ice cream as his reward.
Soon after, they began volunteering at a nursing home. Lawrence was nervous before the first visit; there were about 40 people waiting for them. They started with tricks. Yogi can do math – he can add, subtract, and do square roots. They started visiting four days a week, and now Yogi has been visiting residents in nursing homes for more than 13 years.
Yogi has participated in several Dog Days of Summer parades. His picture was published in a major Philadelphia newspaper and he has earned the Therapy Dogs International Gold award. He earned the Distinguished Therapy Dog award in September 2015 at St Joseph’s Manor in Meadowbrook, PA.
Congratulations also to these All American Dogs who have earned the Therapy Dog Supreme title:
- Molly Diver THDS owned by Elaine J. Diver of Denton, TX
- Blessing THDS owned by Elizabeth G. Lambert-Stava of Willisburg, KY
- Jill Diaz THDS CGCA owned by Anna Diaz of Cooper City, FL
- Stella Fischer THDS CGCA owned by Elizabeth Fischer of Sebring, FL
- Zoe The Therapy Dog THDS CGCA CGCU TKA owned by Diane & Kenneth Bykowski of Scottsdale, AZ
- Stoneridge’s Mia Kalua THDS CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Diane & Kenneth Bykowski of Scottsdale, AZ
- C C Durham RA THDS CGCA TKA VSWB owned by Matt Durham of Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Ezekiel Anubis Glatfelter THDS CGCA CGCU owned by Pamela & Alexcander Glatfelter of Frederick, MD
Search and Rescue
The skills of search and rescue (SAR) dogs can mean the difference between life and death, especially during natural disasters, mass casualty events, and when locating missing people. We are proud to honor the invaluable service of these dogs and their owners through our Search and Rescue title program.
Title recognition is offered for FEMA certified Urban Search and Rescue dogs, as well as Wilderness Search and Rescue dogs. Congratulations to these All American Dogs for earning their SAR-W titles:
SAR-W (Search & Rescue, Wilderness)
Raven Rant And Rave SAR-W owned by Pamela A. Hixson of Tahlequah, OK
Pamela rescued Raven from a shelter when she was a little under a year old.
She said Raven took to training and searching like she was born to it. Raven is certified in human remains detection and firearm recovery.
“When working, she is fast and moves with the grace of a deer, and goes over, under or through anything in her way. At home she has taught me how to watch TV and throw the toys down the hall at the same time. Being a Malinois and Border Collie cross, she thinks one of her jobs is to herd the cats to their feeding place at dinner time. In her spare time, she keeps tabs on the cattle in the pasture across the road and her favorite activity is getting a good mud bath (we call it her spa day) after the rain. She is easy to live with, fun to train and a joy to work… She is my Ravie.”
Congratulations also to this All American Dog for earning the SAR-W title:
- Wilson Goodbuddy SAR-W owned by Maggi Pariera of Poulsbo, WA
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:
CZ8B
- Toby Fast Paws RN FDC BCAT ACT1 THDN RATS CZ8B CGCA CGCU TKP owned by Pamela Sisler of Barnesville, OH
CZ8G
- RACH Tallulah Poop RM3 RAE2 FDC OA OAJ NF CAA BCAT ACT2 RATCHX2 CZ8G DDB CGCA CGCU TKP owned by Izabelle Soo & Patrick Ogilvie of Roseville, MI
CZ8P
- Sierra-Echo Swan Cloud BN RI FDC NAP NJP RATCHX4 CZ8P CGC ATT owned by Rebecca Rice & Jay Brykczynski of Pensacola, FL
CZ8S
- Bradley’s Daisy BN RI FDC AXP AJP OFP CAX FCAT SCA SIN SBN SHDA RATO CZ8S DJ DNA HDN CGCA CGCU TKI ATT VHMA owned by Alison & Kevin Bradley of Fayetteville, AR
Multi RATCH
- Marsee Grayce RE SWN SIA SHDN RATCHX10 CGCA TKN owned by Deborah Ungles of Dallas, TX
- Sierra-Echo Swan Cloud BN RI FDC NAP NJP RATCHX4 CZ8P CGC ATT owned by Rebecca Rice & Jay Brykczynski of Pensacola, FL
- RACH Tallulah Poop RM3 RAE2 FDC OA OAJ NF CAA BCAT ACT2 RATCHX2 CZ8G DDB CGCA CGCU TKP owned by Izabelle Soo & Patrick Ogilvie of Roseville, MI
RATM
- Jemma Of Wakulla Beach DCAT RATM CZ8B CGC TKN owned by Kathy Greenwood of Crawfordville, FL
- Pete Bull RATM CGC owned by Patricia & James Paternoster of Oswego, NY
RATN
- Demon Dog Lightning Storm RN RATN CGC TKA owned by Richard & Shelly Rubas of Antioch, IL
- Hidden Creek’s Henry RATN owned by Ila Arlene Schmeling & Lovey J Lyons of Suffolk, VA
- Marler’s Chase BCAT RATN VHMP owned by Linda Marler of Farmington Hills, MI
- Brown’s She’s Our Girl BCAT RATN owned by Rachel Brown of Tyner, NC
- Haven’s Backstage Drama RATN CGC TKN owned by Sophie Fitzhugh of Blacklick, OH
- Shot Heard ‘Round The World RATO CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Katelyn M. Underhill of Perry, GA
- Bella Bouloo Of Haus Tyler RATN owned by Maegan Tyler of Puyallup, WA
- Follow Your Arrow RATO owned by Kelly Lynn Pollard of Whitehorse, YT
- Declan Of Faircloth FDC RATN owned by Rachael Taylor of Andalusia, AL
RATO
- Ember Tepool RN FCAT SCN SIN SEN RATO CGC TKI owned by Anita Tepool of Indianapolis, IN
- Cember Ree Jones RATO owned by Tina Jones of Newport News, VA
- Shot Heard ‘Round The World RATO CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Katelyn Underhill of Perry, GA
- Follow Your Arrow RATO owned by Kelly Lynn Pollard of Whitehorse, YT
RATS
- Dori Of Ponderosa CD PCD BN RA FDC RATS CGC owned by Virginia Austin of Las Vegas, NV
- It’s All About The Lincolns Baby NAJ NF RATS TKI owned by Liz Alford of Little Elm, TX
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
AS (Senior Air Retrieve)
- High On Sunshine DM DS AS CGC owned by Viktoria Haynes of Boerne, TX
- Juno Deems DEX DMX AS HDJ owned by Pm Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
DEX (Dock Elite Excellent)
- Marli Hanard OA NAJ DEX owned by Lisa Hanard of Phoenix, AZ
- Juno Deems DEX DMX AS HDJ owned by Pm Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
DJ (Dock Junior)
- Northbound Flew The Coop CD BN RE AX AXJ NF DJ DN CGC TKN owned by Samantha Scicchigno of Staten Island, NY
- Barky Sparky AX AXJ XF BCAT DJ owned by Michael Rimstad of Chisago City, MN
- Cinders Sissy AX OAJ XF DJ owned by Aadi A. Taute of Albuquerque, NM
- Sincity’s Veritaserum CA FCAT3 DJ TKN owned by Katie Weihbrecht of Iowa City, IA
- Mac And Cheese DJ owned by Ava Lea King of Elburn, IL
- Max Of Moores Mill DJ CGC owned by Lynn Bruns of Waleska, GA
- Armstrong’s Lucy FCAT2 SCN RATO DJ DN CGCA CGCU TKN owned by Cassandra Armstrong of Longwood, FL
- Mr. SweetFace Scooby BCAT DJ TKN owned by Nicole Guerrero of Tuscaloosa, AL
- Kizzy Waffles RA NA NAJ BCAT ACT1 DJ CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Judith Jackwood of Wooster, OH
DJA (Dock Junior Advanced)
- Llanelli Lady In Black BCAT DS DJA owned by NanciEllyn Lazarowitz of Fremont, MI
DM (Dock Master)
- Charli Blue DM owned by Kathleen Honl of Suffolk, VA
- High On Sunshine DM DS AS CGC owned by Viktoria Haynes of Boerne, TX
- Sei Kein Salat DCAT DM DS HDM TKN ATT owned by Jessica Ingles of Mount Pleasant, WI
- Murphy Mcsweeney DM DS owned by Brian McSweeney & Katie Robinson of Dracut, MA
- Roy Knowles RI DM DJ CGCA CGCU TKP BN-V VHMA VSWI owned by Kelly Knowles of Herndon, VA
- Bowie The Bandit Wells ACT2 DM owned by Carlynn & Ken Wells of Phelan, CA
DMA (Dock Master Advanced)
- Ingram’s Daisy DMA DSA owned by Randall Ingram of Boise, ID
DN (Dock Novice)
- Muttpack’s Mountaineer Odyssey DN owned by Mia Angela Newsome of North Salt Lake, UT
- American Pie BCAT DN TKI owned by Emily & Chandler Leiby of Holly Springs, PA
- Justice In Motion DN CGC owned by Nicole Johnson of Midot, ND
- Middleton’s Quincy DN CGC owned by Allison & Thomas Middleton of West Chester, PA
- Sno-Kist Cairoglyphics DN TKN owned by Stephanie Sheaffer & Brittney Barber of Anchorage, AK
DP (Dock Premier)
- Rigby Dakota BCAT DP owned by Robin Herman of Indianapolis, IN
DPA (Dock Premier Advanced)
- Hutson’s Clear The Way DPA DEA owned by Christy Lynne Hutson of Moyock, NC
DS (Dock Senior)
- Nothin’ Artificial DS owned by Sierra Dawn Soto & Darwin Mendoza of Port Charlotte, FL
- Fiore Della Fuoco CD RA DS TKA owned by Candice Baugher of Wellford, SC
- High On Sunshine DM DS AS CGC owned by Viktoria Haynes of Boerne, TX
- Hamilton The Acting Pup DS CGC TKN owned by Michelle Mace of Cabot, AR
- Benjamin Kevin Souksavath BCAT DS owned by Pamela Souksavath of Knoxville, TN
- Lht Revvvd Up N Ready To Race DS owned by Cindy & Ross Valdez of Temecula, CA
- Scholet’s Fulton DS owned by Alicia Scholet of Homosassa, FL
- Ultraviolet The Phoenix Flame BCAT DS CGC owned by Krista Potter & Robert Utsey III of West New York, NJ
- Mckinley’s Coppere Trip RA DS owned by Patty McKinley of New Richmond, OH
DSA (Dock Senior Advanced)
- Ingram’s Daisy DMA DSA owned by Randall Ingram of Boise, ID
DSX (Dock Senior Excellent)
- Edmund The Ediot RATN DSX CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Madi Hart of Bountiful, UT
- Zinnel’s Bomb Squad FDCH DSX DDB TKE owned by Lynne Zinnel of Coralville, IA
HDJ (Hydro Dash Junior)
- Juno Deems DEX DMX AS HDJ owned by Pm Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
HDM (hydro Dash Master)
- Sei Kein Salat DCAT DM DS HDM TKN ATT owned by Jessica Ingles of Mount Pleasant, WI
HDN (Hydro Dash Novice)
- Sargent Tank Of The North DN HDN CGCA TKN owned by Nicole Johnson of Minot, ND
North American Flyball Association
AKC recognizes three titles of NAFA competitors – the Flyball Dog Champion (FDCh) for 500 points; Flyball Master (FM) for 5,000 points; and the Onyx award for 20,000 points. For more information on NAFA and how to get involved go to www.flyball.org
Congratulations to this All American Dog for earning the FDCH:
- Zinnel’s Bomb Squad FDCH DSX DDB TKE owned by Lynne Zinnel of Coralville, IA