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 Therapy Dog Supreme title, having made 600 visits:
Cooper “Coo Coo Bear” Garcia THDS CGC TKN owned by Melissa Garcia of Moline, IL
Ten-year-old Cooper is an All American Dog with a heart of gold and a lot to be proud of. He recently attained his 600th visit and earned his AKC Therapy Dog Supreme title. In addition to therapy dog work, Cooper has his AKC CGC and Trick Dog Novice titles. He enjoys training for AKC Obedience, Rally, and Scent Work at the Quad Cities Dog Obedience Club in Milan, IL. His sister, Daisy, has followed in his paw prints and is an AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished.
He and Melissa have been a certified therapy dog team since 2019 and do visits in and around the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities Area. Their visits include schools, colleges, churches, libraries, nursing homes, assisted living centers, mental health and addiction rehabilitation facilities, and special needs organizations. Some of his community visits include the Quad City Regional Auto Show, Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, and Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine.
One of Cooper’s favorite visits is a road trip with his therapy dog friends to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He visits with the medical students and his very special namesake, Dr. Cooper, who is the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and surgeon who treated Cooper’s human brother at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Cooper is a member of Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a Compassionate Canine at MercyOne Genesis Hospital, a Heartland Hospice Pet Therapy Volunteer, and one of the founding members of the QCA 1st Belly Scratch Battalion – Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Animal Visitation Program. He earned his 600th visit in Springfield, IL, at the 661st Combat Engineering Group Deployment Yellow Ribbon Event on July 12, 2025.
Deacon Ivan THDS CGC owned by Elizabeth G Lambert-Stava & Lee Stava of Willisburg, KY
Deacon Ivan was born on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018. “He was a BIG boy!” Libby said. The breeder felt Ivan’s sweet disposition and gentle ways would make him a perfect therapy dog. He gifted Ivan to his friends Lee and Libby who were active with Canines 4 Christ Therapy Dog Ministry.
Lee and Libby named their new puppy Deacon since he visits the sick and shut-ins. Deacon Ivan began his training by mimicking his “adopted” big sister, Blessing – a C4C Royal Ambassador and AKC Therapy Dog Supreme.
Deacon earned his AKC STAR Puppy and CGC in 2018. He joined Blessing as a C4C Certified Therapy Dog in 2019. Lee was Deacon’s primary handler, and Libby handled Blessing. They visited nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day cares, hospitals, behavioral health patients, schools, a library, 911 centers and funeral visitations.
In October 2024, Libby suspended their C4C visits due to Lee’s rapidly failing health. “Lee went to his heavenly reward on November 19, 2024,” she said.
Libby continued their C4C visits in the spring, rotating the dogs, taking Deacon one day and Blessing the next. She would switch them the next week so everyone could see both dogs, and the dogs would get to see all their favorite people and places.
In May 13-year-old Blessing was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer. She died June 4, 2024. Libby and Deacon had lost half of their household in less than 200 days. Thankfully they still have each other. “Getting back out and sharing our love with others was like a healing balm to our souls,” Libby said. When Deacon walks in the door, everyone is excited to see this big, white, fluffy ball of fur. He is quick to offer his paw for a handshake as he greets everyone.
Seven-year-old Deacon’s 600th visit was at Sansbury Care Center in Saint Catherine, KY, a facility for retired nuns.
Barn Hunt
RATCHX
- Winter’s Leader Of The Pack BN RN NA NAJ NF SWA SEE SBE RATCHX CGC owned by Lynn Leindecker of Binghampton, NY
RATM
- Dll’s Peanut CA RATM CGC TKI ATT owned by Deb Leake of Atlanta, GA
- Ldr’s Real Slim Shady RATM owned by Sabyl Bingham of Livermore, CA
RATN
- Snowcrest’s The Moldy Medicine SCN RATN owned by Dorothy Duff of Tijeras, NM
- Susquehanna’s A Bolt Of Lightning BCAT RATN CGC FTN owned by Kathy Chicorelli of Maryland, NY
- Turtle Todd BCAT RATN CGC TKN FITB owned by Morgan Hovermale of Colorado Springs, CO
- Campbell’s Texas Hold ‘Em RATN CGC TKN owned by Audrey Blinkinsop of Old Lyme, CT
- Stellybean AXP OJP OFP RATN CGC TKI owned by Sarah Keen of Newport News, VA
- Brahm Stoker CA BCAT RATN FTI owned by Samantha Schue of Lawrenceburg, KY
- Ocean Shore’s Otto Rocket RATN TKI owned by Jalyn Clark & Trevor Reinhold of Kelley, IA
- The Real Princess Peanut CAA FCAT2 RATN CGC TKN owned by Kimberly Gates of Acworth, GA
- It’s All About Poppy CD BN RM RAE SWAE RATN CGCA TKN owned by Karen Kimmerly of Williamsburg, OH
- Puka Coolidge RATN owned by MarissA Coolidge of Colchester, VT
RATO
- Chaka Khan RI CA BCAT RATO CGC TKI owned by Isabella O’Brien of Lexington, KY
- Max Of Moores Mill BCAT RATO DSX DJ CGC TKN owned by Lynn Bruns of Waleska, GA
- White’s Maligator On The Loose RN CAA FCAT2 RATO CGC TKN FTN owned by Carol White of Salinas, CA
- Lily Belle Sikes RE RATS CGCA owned by Martha & James Sikes of Bristow, OK
- Sugar Extra Spice OAP NJP BCAT SWE SIM SEM RATO owned by Crystal McLane of West Fargo, ND
RATS
- Lily Belle Sikes RE RATS CGCA owned by Martha & James Sikes of Bristow, OK
Disc Dog
Disc Dog Unobtainium (DDU)
Elementary My Dear Watson DDU owned by Linda Shoenberger of Sarasota, FL
Watson came to Linda’s family when she was about 4 months old — an owner surrender on her way to a shelter.
At 6 months, she injured her cruciate ligament after jumping from Linda’s husband’s lap onto the floor. During her crate rest, she watched Linda play disc with their older Aussie, Malachi, studying his every move. When she finally recovered, she made it clear that she wanted to be a disc dog too — somehow, she had taught herself just by watching. Linda was amazed.
At a year-and-a-half, she reinjured that same knee. Fortunately, it wasn’t career-ending, and she recovered once again — going on to qualify for five and attending three UpDog International Finals. Watson was also invited to compete in the AKC Disc Dog Challenge in Asheville, NC, in 2024, playing Time Warp, which aired on ESPN. She was featured in an article in AKC Family Dog magazine.
On May 7, 2022, Watson earned her Disc Dog Unobtanium title at an UpDog event in Dade City, FL. “We’ve had so many incredible adventures together,” Linda said. “She was my second disc dog — and the one who inspired me to start playing freestyle at age 65!”
Now 8 years old, Watson is living the good life as a spoiled, beloved companion. “She’s recently developed a health issue we hope is only a temporary setback. Through it all, she still lives for chasing plastic.”
Athena Knowles BN RE FDC CAX FCAT5 ACT1 ACT2J RATO DE DMA HDS DDU DDGE CGCA CGCU TKE ATT BN-V2 CD-V VHMA VSWE FITG FTR owned by Kelly Knowles of Leesburg, VA
Athena is a 6-year-old old Dutch Shepherd/Malinois mix. When she came into Kelly’s care at 1 year old, she was underweight and heartworm positive with no training. After getting her through heartworm treatment and then a clean bill of health, they began training. Since then, Athena has been competitive in a variety of sports, including her favorite – disc! She loves playing all the UpDog games, but her favorites are the crossover (agility + disc) games, Greedy, and Freestyle. Athena earned her Disc Dog Unobtanium (DDU) title at the NoVA Dog Sports event on Aug. 24, 2025.
North American Diving Dogs
DM
Little Stakey DM DS owned by Katie Robinson of Chelmsford, MA
Named after the sleek and powerful shark, Mako is a 3-year-old Labrador mix with a heart as big as his splash. Katie welcomed Mako into her life shortly after saying goodbye to her beloved 16-year-old pitbull, Molly. What started as a bittersweet new beginning quickly turned into double the joy when Mako’s brother, Sully, joined the family too.
Together with their canine teammates Murphy (another enthusiastic Lab) and Oakley (an ever-focused German Shepherd), Mako is part of a true dock diving family. Weekends often mean road trips, wet paws, and plenty of cheering from the sidelines as the crew competes across New England.
This summer, Mako made a big splash – literally – by earning his Dock Diving Masters title at American K9 Country in Amherst, NH on July 12, 2025. His leaps are fearless, his focus unwavering, and his love for the water contagious. Whether he’s chasing a bumper off the dock or simply lounging with his pack, Mako embodies everything Katie loves about the sport: energy, enthusiasm, and heart.
As they look ahead to next season, the McSweeney pack couldn’t be prouder—or more excited—to see how far Mako will fly. One thing’s for sure: when Mako’s on the dock, it’s always a good day for a splash!
Great Value Borber Cobbie RN NAP NJP NFP CA DCAT RATN DM DS TKI owned by Haley Justice of Centre Hall, PA
Kipper is Haley’s rescue who was found with his littermates on the side of a highway in a rural area. He is a “farm dog” type, and Haley’s family jokingly calls him their “Great Value brand Border Collie” though his stature is larger and leggier. He is her first sport dog as an adult, and they are learning much together.
They dove head first into competing this year and have had success and/or titled in agility, rally, Barn Hunt, CAT, herding, and of course dock diving. Kip is a smart, biddable, and athletic dog who enjoys using different parts of his mind and body for each sport at hand. In dock diving, he gets to be loud, excitable, and drivey.
This was their first season in dock diving, and Kip beat personal bests with every event they went to, ending with a personal best of 21 feet, 3 inches. He earned his Dock Master title at the Keystone Cluster 2025 in Lebanon, PA, on Aug. 9, 2025, where he had a knockout weekend trying air retrieve and hydro dash for the first time. They even went to the NADD Regionals in Connecticut this year.
“I love my teammate and companion dearly, and I’m honored he is so enthused with all of the positive styled learning that happens together and forgives the handler errors on my end.”
AM
- Parchment Vom Warsney AM owned by Melissa Dollard of Patterson, CA
AS
- CT Schooner Richards RE FDC DCAT SWN SCE SIE SEA SHDN RATM DMA DS AM AS HDS CGCA CGCU STR TKA ATT VHMA VSWI FITG FTI owned by Danielle Richards of San Diego, CA
DE
- Ruby Schwarz NA DCAT ACT1 RATO DE DMX CGC TKI VHMA VSWB owned by Deanna Schwarz & Casey Burnham of West Hartford, CT
DEX2
- Banquo’s Thunder Struck DCAT DP DEX2 AM DDU CGC TKN owned by Penny Leigh & Dale McElrath of Graham, NC
DJ
- Lambert The Sheepish Lion CD PCD BN RAE FDC NAP NJP BCAT SCN SIN DJ CGC owned by Laura Aquilina of Beulah, MI
- Bean’s On Backup With The Barrett DS DJ owned by Alexis Lee of Murrells Inlet, SC
- Ryker Phoenix Schneider CAA FCAT SWNE SWM SCEE SEEE SIAE DJ DNA DDS CGCA TKI owned by Stephanie Schneider of Canonsburg, PA
- Ready Aim Fire DJ CGC TKI owned by Hannah McKenzie of Niles, MI
- Louis Fielder CA DCAT DJ DN CGCA CGCU TKA FTI owned by Breana Fielder of Madison, AL
- Easton Da Beastin CA DCAT DJ owned by Ashley Orr of Spring Hill, FL
- All Spark No Bite RI DJ CGC TKI owned by Lauren Bertonazzi of Buena, NJ
- Leyrah’s Braveheart CA DJ TKN owned by Rebecca Lynn Pierce of Knoxville, TN
DJX2
- Mrd Loyal Bailey DJX2 CGC TKN owned by Michelle Duke of Marshall, TX
DMA
- Mr. SweetFace Scooby CA FCAT DMA DSX2 AJ HDM CGC TKA ATT FITG owned by Nicole Guerrero of Sunrise, FL
- CT Schooner Richards RE FDC DCAT SWN SCE SIE SEA SHDN RATM DMA DS AM AS HDS CGCA CGCU STR TKA ATT VHMA VSWI FITG FTI owned by Danielle Richards of San Diego, CA
DMX
- Ruby Schwarz NA DCAT ACT1 RATO DE DMX CGC TKI VHMA VSWB owned by Deanna Schwarz & Casey Burnham of West Hartford, CT
DN
- Louis Fielder CA DCAT DJ DN CGCA CGCU TKA FTI owned by Breana Fielder of Madison, AL
- Malolo NJP ACT2 ACT2J DN CGC owned by Casey E Shaw of Portsmouth, VA
- Ak Summer Puppy DN FTI owned by Amber & Michael Kughen of Greentown, IN
DNA
- Eikant Be Stopped FCAT DNA CGCA TKI ATT FITG FTI owned by Kortnee Valdivieso of Cibolo, TX
DS
- PCH Oh, The Places I Will Go FDC DCAT DS CGC TKI owned by Suzzane Kelleher & Alan Andersen of Santa Clarita, CA
- Great Value Borber Cobbie RN NAP NJP NFP CA DCAT RATN DM DS TKI owned by Haley Justice of Centre Hall, PA
- The Distinct Detective Benson DS owned by Alyssa Baczewski of Montgomery, TX
- Ollie Ollie Oliver BCAT DSA FTN owned by Ashley Orr of Spring Hill, FL
- Archibald Aldis Red Emmerson Lee DS CGC owned by Robin & Joshua Lee of Forbestown, CA
- Rogue’s Gambit FDC CA DCAT THDN DS CGCA CGCU TKP VHMA FITS owned by Alyssa Williams of Montoursville, PA
- Bean’s On Backup With The Barrett DS DJ owned by Alexis Lee of Murrells Inlet, SC
- Now For Something Different DS CGC TKN FTN owned by Nicole Rangel of Phoenix, AZ
- Chickadee’s Opal Mine DS owned by Yvette Umphrey of Milan, IL
- Chasing A Starlight CD PCDX GN RM RAE BCAT RATN DS DJ CGCA CGCU TKA owned by Lauren Bertonazzi of Buena, NJ
- Sa Black Lightning FDC BCAT SWA DS CGCA CGCU TKN owned by Nicole Berkheiser of Waterford, MI
- Macy Lou Freebush FDC BCAT DS CGCA TKN FTN owned by Mikki Mogensen of Rapid City, SC
DSA
- Ollie Ollie Oliver BCAT DSA FTN owned by Ashley Orr of Spring Hill, FL
- Llanelli Lady In Black FDC FCAT4 DSA DJA FITS owned by Nanci Ellyn Lazarowitz of Fremont, MI
- Abby’s Krown Royal DSA CGC owned by Tina Allbritton of Bullard, TX
DSX
- Perfect Corgi’s Everyday I’M Brusselin BCAT DSX CGC TKN owned by Melanie Seleman of Saint Louis, MO
- Honey Badger Don’T Care RI FDC AXP AJP OFP CAX2 FCAT4 ACT2 ACT2J FDCH RATM CZ8S DSX DJA HDSA CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VSWB FITG FTN owned by Kimberly Dickson & Jesse Blanchard of Stanfordville, NY
HDJX4
- Juno Deems RN DP DEX9 AS HDJX4 owned by Pam Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
HDN
- Moose Cui FDC BCAT ACT1 ACT2J SEN DM HDN CGCA CGCU TKN FTI owned by Shuyang Cui of Stoneham, MA
HDS
- Athena Knowles BN RE FDC CAX FCAT5 ACT1 ACT2J RATO DE DMA HDS DDU DDGE CGCA CGCU TKE ATT BN-V2 CD-V VHMA VSWE FITG FTR owned by Kelly Knowles of Leesburg, VA
North American Flyball Association
FDCH
Kiva Is Enough DCAT FDCH FTI owned by Renee Sanders of Kansas City, MO
Kiva is an Australian Cattle Dog mix whose zest for life is matched only by her love for adventure. Her favorite sport is dock diving, where she soars off the platform with incredible enthusiasm, chasing her toy through the air before plunging into the water with a perfect splash.
When she’s not flying off docks, Kiva enjoys competing in disc and Fast CAT, showing off her speed, precision, and focus. For a year, Kiva also competed in flyball, mastering the team sport’s fast-paced relay races with enthusiasm and earning her FDCH (Flyball Dog Champion) title in 2022—a proud milestone that highlighted her quickness and teamwork skills. Despite her high energy and competitive spirit, Kiva has an equally soft and affectionate side. After a day full of activity, she loves nothing more than to relax with her humans, curling up by their side and soaking up their attention.
Kiva’s balance of athleticism and affection makes her truly special—she’s as happy chasing a ball across a field as she is lounging on the couch with her family. Whether she’s flying through the air at a dock diving competition or resting her head on her human’s lap, Kiva brings warmth, excitement, and joy to every moment she’s a part of. She’s not just a talented dog—she’s a beloved companion whose heart is as big as her spirit.
