Not so long ago, De'Angelo Wynn was taking 11 medications for the anxiety, PTSD, and other mental-health struggles he had faced since returning from military deployment in Afghanistan. Now, he's down to just two medications. What changed? The arrival of Jug, a Labrador Retriever who came into his life a little over a year ago. […]

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 This Thursday, May 16, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs will consider SB 2158, an Act Relative to Protecting Service Dogs.  To ensure that individuals and businesses will be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this bill makes the misrepresentation of a pet dog as a service dog […]

Friday, March 15, 2019 The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to support Minnesota House File 478.  Like its companion bill, SF 1109, this bill seeks to provide $150,000 in funding for the training of service dogs to assist some of the state’s firefighters with posttraumatic stress disorder.  All Minnesota residents are encouraged to join […]

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to support Minnesota Senate Bill 1109.  The bill seeks to provide $150,000 in funding for the training of service dogs to assist some of the state’s firefighters with posttraumatic stress disorder.  All Minnesota residents are encouraged to join in support of the bill. AKC’s […]

Friday, January 25, 2019 The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to support North Dakota House Bill 1128.  The bill seeks to provide for funding for the training of service dogs to assist some of the state’s veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.  All North Dakota residents are encouraged to join in support of the bill. […]

If you combine dogs with Disneyland, what do you get? Literally the happiest place on Earth. Four puppies from the non-profit Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) recently took a trip to the California-based theme park as part of their training. "It’s great socialization for the dogs since they get to be around all the different […]

The Hawaii House Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to consider House Bill 1823 on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.  The bill seeks to create a misdemeanor for those found to have knowingly and misrepresents themselves, through conduct or verbal or written notice, as being disabled in an attempt to receive the benefits and protections afforded under […]

After owning dogs his entire life, retired Marine Cpl. Justin Crabbe feels that having a dog is second nature to him. However, when he enrolled in the United States Marine Corps in 2008, it’s unlikely he realized the crucial role a dog would come to play in his life seven years later. Crabbe is now […]

  Since the first issue of AKC Family Dog in 2003, we have been telling the stories of service dogs who guide the blind, hear for deaf, perform household tasks for wheelchair users, indicate on impending seizures and diabetic trauma, and perform many other jobs for disabled owners. During our 13-plus years of interviewing service-dog […]

  Veterans undoubtedly are heroes who selflessly serve our country, but many people don’t realize what these brave men and women go through when their duty concludes. Many return home suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle to ease back into a “normal" day-to-day routine, even with their friends and family. This can become even […]