April 2007 - Across The Board AKC Chairman's Report

April 2007 - The Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) reaches out to the public in a compelling way like no other AKC awards program. It's about more than great dogs and dedicated people, it's about their relationship with each other. And it's more than an award, it's a celebration of that extraordinary canine-human bond that exists between no other species.

Selecting an honoree from numerous nominees in each of the five categories (law enforcement, search and rescue, therapy, service, and companion dog) is a challenge. Each story is about how a dog dramatically changed a person's life forever � whether a law enforcement K-9 saving a partner's life or a therapy dog bringing a smile to a sick child in the hospital.

Winners of this prestigious award, now in its 7th year, receive an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner, to be honored with an engraved sterling silver collar medallion at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, CA in December 2007. I can tell you that when these stories are recounted, there is not a dry eye in the house, whether watching the vignettes at home on television or seeing them live at the show.

Each honoree also receives a plaque awarded at an AKC event near their hometown. It's big news when the AKC comes to recognize a local resident with an ACE. Such presentations are routinely covered in the media since they represent acts, in many instances, that portray real life canine heroism whether saving a life to improving the quality of someone's life. AKC also shares these stories in "The ACE Files" for all our readers in each issue of AKC Family Dog.

Each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000 and their names are added to the ACE Awards plaque that is on permanent display in the AKC Library in New York City. Where appropriate, honorable mention dogs are also selected in each category and these dogs receive an engraved bronze medallion. Winners and honorable mention dogs are posted on the AKC web site.

You don't have to be an expert in dogs to appreciate these heart warming stories of heroic, brave, tender, or happy dogs and their owners. We all may know of a canine deserving of this special honor. I invite you to nominate a dog for the 2007 ACE awards by June 30. To qualify as a nominee, the dog is required to be AKC registered or registerable, and have performed some exemplary act, whether large or seemingly small, that has significantly benefited a community or individual. For more info go to: http://www.akc.org/news/ace/index.cfm.

Sincerely,

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