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 new Therapy Dog Supreme title, having made 600 visits:
Kahlu Bonan THDS CGCA owned by Michelle Lee Bonan of Port Saint Lucie, FL
On Oct. 13, 2019, Kahlu was just 3 weeks old when she found her forever home with Michelle’s family.
“Someone posted her for sale way before she should have been taken from her mother,” Michelle said. “I was concerned for her health and safety due to her tender age; I felt that I needed to rescue her, so I did.”
K9 Kahlu and Deputy Michelle Bonan became the first Therapy Dog team for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; they served together for the PBSO from 2019 until 2022. Deputy Bonan is currently training another dog as a Therapy K9.
Therapy K9 Kahlu has more than 2,200 community service hours and more than 500 hours of training. She has attended and worked with a multitude of elementary and middle schools, nursing homes, living facilities, funerals, celebrations of life ceremonies, Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Day summer camps throughout Palm Beach County, Missing in America, Purple Heart Veterans Affairs, Tree of Life Outreach Program, Gulf Stream Counsel Boy Scouts of America events, Fallen Soldier Outreach, Compass Business Alliance Meetings, Veterans Memorial Tree Planting & Ceremony, Community Safety Events, 15th Judicial Courthouse (Delray Beach), and special events.
“She provides so much love, care, compassion, comfort, and tranquility to all the children and adults she has the pleasure to meet. She absolutely loves everyone, including any and all animals. She worked so hard to earn the Therapy Dog Supreme title. K9 Kahlu and I are a TEAM.”
Coffee Byrnes THDS CGCA TKN owned by Luci Byrnes of Hancock, NH
Coffee was born in southern California on Sept. 7, 2011, and a rescue group took him and several other Chihuahuas to New Hampshire. Luci found him at the Ossipee Humane Society in December 2011.
He was a little timid at first but a bit of a show-off when running in the yard. Luci enrolled him in rally classes. He gained confidence through the classes and competed. “He is very social and just thought that most everybody wanted to meet him,” Luci said.
In talking with an instructor who had therapy dogs, Luci thought it was something she wanted to do. They tested with Alliance of Therapy Dogs and have been doing visits since September 2014.
Coffee loves anything to do with young people and can handle even large groups of children. When Luci puts his special collar with the heart tag and bowtie on him, he knows he is going visiting. “During Paws to Read, he doesn’t care what they read to him, he just loves being with and interacting with them. He has a very, very happy tail.
“Most of the children start out reading very softly, then as they gain confidence their voices get stronger. Coffee seems to know when someone needs a little extra attention. We have the pleasure of starting with the children before or as they are starting to read and following them through the years. It is wonderful to see and hear the progress.”
We salute these All-Americans who are recent recipients of the THDD title for 400 or more visits!
- Sunny Loar THDD owned by Karen A Loar of Springfield, OH
- Ras Steger THDD owned by Ralph Steger of Canyon Country, CA
- Max Tomei THDD CGC owned by Kathy Bruss Tomei of San Angelo, TX
BARN HUNT
RATCH (Barn Hunt Champion)
Alton Brown Dog ACT1 RATCH owned by Heather Hunt & Jeff Reinsbach of Oconomowoc, WI
Heather and Jeff adopted Alton in 2018. He is a 4-year-old Beagle mix with a great nose. They learned about Barn Hunt in 2019 at dog camp, and Alton loved it right away. By September 2020, he had earned his RM and then his RATCH in December 2021.
Alton has earned eight high-in-class titles and his Crazy 8 gold title. “Competing in Barn Hunt has been very rewarding and has strengthened our relationship,” Heather said. “I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve started instructing at a local club. Our other dog, Marty, is also working on his RATCH.”
Alton earned his RATCH on Dec. 11, 2021 at Oh Rats Barn Hunt Club, Sheboygan Falls, WI.
Congratulations also to this dog for earning the RATCH:
- You Make Me Dizzy Miss Lizzy RATCH CGC TKN owned by Nancy Kwain of Orland Park, FL
RATCHX
- Kipbomb’s Little Miss Violet RE FDC NAP OJP BCAT SWA SCE SIE SEE RATCHX CZ8P CGCA CGCU TKA ATT owned by Jeanne & Roger Lagesse of Hampton, VA
RATCHX3
- Sierra-Echo Swan Cloud BN RN FDC NAP NJP RATCHX3 CZ8G CGC ATT owned by Rebecca Rice & Jay Brykczynski of Pensacola, FL
CZ8G
- Sierra-Echo Swan Cloud BN RN FDC NAP NJP RATCHX3 CZ8G CGC ATT owned by Rebecca Rice & Jay Brykczynski of Pensacola, FL
CZ8P
- Kipbomb’s Little Miss Violet RE FDC NAP OJP BCAT SWA SCE SIE SEE RATCHX CZ8P CGCA CGCU TKA ATT owned by Jeanne & Roger Lagesse of Hampton, VA
RATN
- Savannah Mae Quinn RA RATN CGC TKI owned by Jessica Quinn of Grove City, OH
- Georgia Louise Quinn DCAT RATN TKN owned by Jessica Quinn of Grove City, OH
- Just Yoda BCAT RATN DN TKN owned by Theresa Dydalewicz of Dripping Springs, TX
- Emma Cooper CD BN RE FDC NJP CA BCAT RATN DJ CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Lily & Brian Cooper of Newnan, GA
- Hazelee Hazelnut BCAT RATN CGC TKN owned by Cynthia Capobres of Detroit, MI
- Smelly Ellie Robbed The Deli FDC RATN CGC TKI VHMA VSWB owned by Macy Van Cleave of Gainesville, FL
- Sarmiento’s Zoee RI SWN SCA SHDN RATN CGCA TKA VHMA owned by Cynthia & Alex Sarmiento of Oakley, CA
RATO
- Sawyer Of Gard BN RA DCAT RATO CGCA TKA owned by Ronda White of Rockford, IL
- Sir Barney Of Nottingham RN SWNE SCA RATO CGC TKI owned by Frances Beezley of St. Louis, MO
RATS
- Whirley Whirlwind Wind Of Dorian UD BN GO RE AX AXJ XF RATS TKI owned by Sue Kotlarek of Romulus, MI
- Toby Fast Paws RN FDC ACT1 THDN RATS CGCA CGCU TKP owned by Pamela Sisler of Barnesville, OH
- Anthracite Leo’s Deep Fire RI NA NAJ OF ACT1 RATS CGCA TKA owned by Jane Graham of Danville, PA
North America Diving Dogs
NADD offers titles in both distance dock jumping and air retrieve for all dogs. Dogs receive titles based on how far they jump and only compete in the same division with dogs that jump similar distances. For more information go to www.northamericadivingdogs.com
DEA
- Juno Deems DEA DMX HDN owned by Pam Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
DJ
- Emma Cooper CD BN RE FDC NJP CA BCAT RATN DJ CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Lily & Brian Cooper of Newnan, GA
- My Buddy Moto FDC OAP OJP SWN SHDN RATO DJ CGCA CGCU TKI ATT owned by Kelly & Patty Crosby of Plano, TX
- Van Zant Lord Of The Meatheads DJ CGC TKA VHMA owned by Cassandra Koch of Copley, OH
DM
- Thriller DM DSA owned by Alisha Cole of Saint Louis, MO
- Gunner Jack DM DS owned by Hannah Sage of Webster, NY
- Matthews’ Meco DM CGC TKI owned by Crystal Matthews of Corona, CA
DMA
- Flyin Fish FDC DCAT DMA DS owned by Michelle Delaney of Naples, FL
DMX
- Juno Deems DEA DMX HDN owned by Pam Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
DN
- Marshall’s Dakota CD RAE OA OAJ XF DN CGC TKN owned by Michele Marshall of Las Cruces, NM
- Dr. Harleen Quinzel Of Arkham Asylum RN FDC FCAT ACT2 DS DJ CGCA CGCU TKI ATT owned by Morgan Motrenec of Bristow, VA
- Sir Dakota Blue NA NAJ DN CGC TKN owned by Michael McGrath of Buzzards Bay, MA
DP
- Archie Hamilton Summers DP CGCA CGCU TKA owned by Shannon Summers of Kingman, AZ
DS
- Gunner Jack DM DS owned by Hannah Sage of Webster, NY
- Murphy McSweeney DS owned by Brian McSweeney & Katie Robinson of Dracut, MA
- Third Times A Charm BCAT DS DJA CGCA CGCU TKA owned by Brittany Angone of Sierra Vista, AZ
DSX
- Jumping Jeter RI BCAT RATN DM DSX DDG CGCA CGCU TKA owned by P. Filomena Diaz Johnson of Rockville, UT