Congratulations to the Whidbey Island Kennel Club and Walla Walla Kennel Club, the most recent AKC Community Achievement Award recipients.

The Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized federations, and their members. The AKC selects award recipients who have successfully promoted purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership within their communities or who have successfully introduced, monitored, and responded to legislative issues affecting dog ownership. The AKC accepts nominations year-round and names up to three honorees each quarter. The nomination form is available on the AKC web site, or by request. Each honoree receives a certificate and a $1,000 check payable to the club or federation’s public education and canine legislation efforts.

Walla Walla Kennel Club members work hard to educate citizens about the importance of responsible dog ownership.

Walla Walla Kennel Club members hold an annual seminar in their community on dog training. Club members invite other breed club members in the area and the general public. To generate interest, Walla Walla Kennel Club members distribute seminar registration forms to local feed stores and vet offices. Walla Walla Kennel Club also exchanges its club newsletter with other breed clubs in the area to keep dog people current on events and activities.

Walla Walla Kennel Club members hand out AKC reproducibles on various topics at their education booth during the local fair each year. During the fair parade, club members carry signs like “Don’t be a Poop — Scoop,” encouraging citizens to be responsible pet owners and clean up after their dogs.

Walla Walla Kennel Club developed a program with the City of Walla Walla, Washington, to install 21 “Mutt Mitt” bag dispensers in local parks in the city in an effort to keep dog waste out of public walkways. The dispensers are maintained and filled by kennel club members. With the help of a local dog celebrity, Sadie the Dalmatian, the club promotes the program with signs throughout the community, in veterinary offices, and other pet-related businesses.

Club members also hold demonstrations in the local mall each year. During the “dogs on parade” event, club members show different breeds and explain breed standards. They also hold obedience and Junior Showmanship demonstrations and showcase service dogs in the community. Citizens get to pet the dogs and ask club members about the breeds and responsible dog ownership. Club members hand out AKC public education materials during the event.

Walla Walla Kennel Club members give presentations at local elementary schools on choosing the right dog and responsible dog ownership. They discuss with students how to talk to their parents about getting a dog and how to make informed decisions about bringing a new dog into the family. They also take dogs into the schools and give presentations on dog sledding.