American Kennel Club Seeks Entries for K-9 Excellence Awards

If your K-9 has played a role in a dramatic rescue or performed another exemplary act, you can nominate him for an American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence (AKC ACE).

An American Kennel Club ACE award is a national honor, given to only five dogs each year who have performed an exemplary act or series of acts, whether large or seemingly small, that have significantly benefited a community or individual. One award is given in the following five categories: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion Dog. Honorable Mentions will be reserved for exceptional entries in each category.

In addition to the prestige of being chosen from hundreds of entries, each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000, an engraved sterling silver collar medallion, and an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner to Long Beach, Calif., to be honored at the sixth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December, 2006. The engraved names of the five recipients will also be added to the ACE plaque that is permanently displayed on the AKC Library’s “Wall of Fame” in New York City. Dogs receiving honorable mention will be awarded an engraved bronze medallion. All entrants will receive an AKC ACE Certificate of Recognition in acknowledgement of their nomination.

Anyone, including the dog owner or handler, may submit a nomination. Please note that to be considered, dogs must be AKC registered or registrable.

Nominations will be accepted until June 15. For more information visit www.akc.org.