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 Therapy Dog Supreme title, having made 600 visits:
Daya Simone THDS CGCA CGCU owned by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office d/s Bill Feaman of West Palm Beach, FL
Daya was a rescue from the Brevard County Animal Shelter, which is run by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Paws and Stripes College. Through this program, started in 2006 as a basic dog obedience program, carefully selected and trained jail inmates are paired with dogs from the shelter. The inmates train the dogs in basic obedience skills as well as voice commands and hand signals, with the anticipation of getting the dogs adopted into forever homes.
Selected canine graduates of the original eight-week course move into the advanced training program to serve as Law Enforcement & Multidiscipline Crimes Against Persons Therapy Dogs. Daya was one of these dogs. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the Chief Deputy and Col. of Law Enforcement, implemented the new PBSO Therapy Dog Unit in the Fall of 2020 and Deputy Feaman realized she could be utilized in a broader area of community engagement and Law Enforcement calls for service. The immediate need was for Daya to get certified and assist victims of sexual assaults and domestic violence.
After more obedience training and temperament testing Daya Simone earned her CGC, CGCA, CGC Urban. She was then certified with the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as a Paws and Stripes Law Enforcement Therapy K9.
Daya Simone’s first deployment was to the scene of a car crash involving a grandmother transporting her grandchildren to school. The grandmother suffered major injuries and Daya, with her natural “lean,” went right to work creating a necessary distraction for the young children, while fire rescue took care of the injured.
Since then, Daya has been the focus of a newly created “Read Along” program at three local libraries where children line up to read to this attentive listener. She has provided comfort to victims of assault, domestic violence, homicides, and suicides. During her spare time, Daya visits local schools, religious groups, HOAs and Boys and Girls Clubs to provide a bridge to law enforcement and community.
The increase in Daya’s callouts and workload created seven additional positions for Therapy Dogs within the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Daya Simone proudly received her AKC Therapy Dog Supreme title on June 22nd at Harmony in the Streets summer day camp.
Lux’ Zoey THDS CGCU owned by Kay Lux of Rio Rancho, NM
It was 2014 when Zoey, a 3-year-old Rat Terrier mix, was rescued. One of her back legs had been broken and had healed shorter than the other. But she kept moving forward. “Zoey is proof that nothing heals like time, love, and having a mission in life,” Kay said.
In 2016 Zoey began her mission with Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Intermountain Therapy Animals R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog). Kay and Zoey also joined the local Tales of Joy R.E.A.D program. Kay enrolled Zoey in the AKC Canine Partners program, and “all of her AKC title patches can be found hanging on the kitchen wall above her bowls,” Kay said. “It only took a few visits to assisted living homes, school classrooms, and local libraries to see that Zoey was growing with each visit. She loves greeting adults and children equally. She has joined a Tales of Joy R.E.A.D. group, B.A.R.K. presentations and local park events, the city library, and the Children’s section at our local Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Zoey loves listening to children read to her; she still loves it all. She has now made 680 visits. You will find her today sitting by the door ready to go on visit 681.”
Sally Marie THDS CGCA owned by Joe & Judy Dacey of Wadsworth, OH
Sally Marie is a Siberian Husky/Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix who was rescued by Joe in 2011. Shortly after adopting her, Joe and Judy learned that she has Crohn’s disease. However, after two years, they developed a diet for her that “allows a fairly normal life,” Joe said.
Over the last ten years as a therapy dog, Sally has made over 1,220 visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and classrooms. She also assists in training new therapy dog teams as a test dog for Bright & Beautiful. “Today she is loved by many and continues to do what she has always loved – making people laugh and be happy!”
Barn Hunt Association
The BHA enables all dogs to participate in the sport of hunting for vermin. Dogs track rats safely enclosed in sturdy tubes that are hidden among hay bales. The titles range from Novice level to Champion to Champion Excellent, and since March, Crazy 8s. Go to www.barnhunt.com for more information.
Congratulations to All-American Dogs who recently received recognition of their BHA titles:
CZ8P
- Hyde Park’s Sweet Petunia FDC CAX FCAT8 RATCHX4 CZ8P CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA owned by Grayce S. Berman of Tallahassee, FL
RATCHX4
- Hyde Park’s Sweet Petunia FDC CAX FCAT8 RATCHX4 CZ8P CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA owned by Grayce S. Berman of Tallahassee, FL
RATM
- Pete Bull RN RATM CGC owned by Patricia & James Paternoster of Oswego, NY
- Molly Jarvis RE FDC CAA FCAT RATM CGCU TKN owned by Connie Jarvis of Scio, OR
- It’s All About The Lincolns Baby NAJ NF RATM TKI owned by Liz Alford of Little Elm, TX
RATN
- Shot Heard ‘Round The World RATO CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Katelyn M. Underhill of Perry, GA
- Bella Bouloo Of Haus Tyler RATN owned by Maegan Tyler of Puyallup, WA
- Follow Your Arrow RATO owned by Kelly Lynn Pollard of Whitehorse, YT, Canada
- Declan Of Faircloth FDC RATN owned by Rachael Taylor of Andalusia, AL
- Walters’ Gibbs CD PCD BN RA FCAT3 RATN CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Marian Walters of Lake in the Hills, IL
- Douglas’ Chloe RATN owned by Trinity Douglas & Cody Fitch of Redwood Estates, CA
- Ain’T Your Average Ren’Egade RN SCN SIN SEN RATN DS DJ TKA VHMA owned by Deborah Penton of Killeen, TX
- Schooner Richards RI FDC BCAT SCN SIN SBN RATN DJ DN CGCA CGCU TKI ATT VSWB owned by Danielle Richards of San Diego, CA
- Aqua Fina’s Wet Behind The Ears BCAT RATN CGC TKE owned by Julianna Crame of Columbus, OH
RATO
- Shot Heard ‘Round The World RATO CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Katelyn M. Underhill of Perry, GA
- Follow Your Arrow RATO owned by Kelly Lynn Pollard of Whitehorse, YT, Canada
- Spirit You Away FCAT RATO CGCA TKA VHMA owned by Elissa Hanc & Matthew Tijerina of Sugarland, TX
- Sarmiento’s Zoee RI SWE SCM SHDE RATO CGCA TKA VHMA owned by Cynthia & Alex Sarmiento of Oakland, CA
- Cherry Evelyn Bounce RN NAJ NF RATO CGCA TKI owned by Julianne Gendrano & Gregory Walton of Boston, MA
- Hidden Creek’s Henry RATO CGC owned by Ila Arlene Schmeling & Lovey J Lyons of Suffolk, VA
RATS
- Buster Boon Carey BCAT RATS CGCA TKA owned by Jared Carey of The Woodlands, TX & Ana Mendivil of Magnolia, TX
- Maggie May Carey AX AXJ NF FCAT RATS CGCA TKA owned by Ana Mendivil of Magnolia, TX & Jared Carey of The Woodlands, TX
- Miss Penny Blossom RN MX MXB MXJ MJB MJPB PAX XF RATS CGC TKA owned by Elizabeth Erin Alford of Little Elm, TX
- Alexi’s Lily Grace RA BCAT ACT2 RATS CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Diane Alexander of Maggie Valley, NC
- Sawyer Of Gard CD BN RA FCAT RATS CGCA TKA owned by Ronda White of Rockford, IL
North American 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.
AS
- Sei Kein Salat FCAT DE DM AS HDM TKN ATT owned by Jessica Ingles of Mount Pleasant, WI
- Matthews’ Meco DMA AS HDJ CGC TKI owned by Crystal Matthews of Corona, CA
DE
- Scholet’s Belle DE DM owned by Alicia Scholet of Homosassa, FL
- Sei Kein Salat FCAT DE DM AS HDM TKN ATT owned by Jessica Ingles of Mount Pleasant, WI
- Athena Knowles BCAT DE DM CGC TKI ATT VHMA VSWI owned by Kelly Knowles of Herndon, VA
DEX2
- Juno Deems RN DEX2 DMX AS HDJ owned by Pam Deems & Aaron Trunk of Scottsdale, AZ
DJ
- Max Of Moores Mill DS DJ CGC owned by Lynn Bruns of Waleska, GA
- Armstrong’s Lucy CA FCAT2 SCN RATO DJ DN HDJ CGCA CGCU TKN owned by Cassandra Armstrong of Longwood, FL
- Mr. SweetFace Scooby CA BCAT DS DJ CGC TKA owned by Nicole Teitelbaum Guerrero of Tuscaloosa, AL
- Kizzy Waffles BN RA OA NAJ BCAT ACT1 DS DJ CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Judith Jackwood of Wooster, OH
- Scholet’s Fulton DS DJ owned by Alicia Scholet of Homosassa, FL
- Wee Beastie Fae Gitdoon NA BCAT DS DJ CGC TKN owned by Lisa Nurminen of Mount Pleasant, SC
- Sno-Kist Cairoglyphics BCAT DJ DN HDN CGC TKN owned by Stephanie Sheaffer & Brittney Barber of Anchorage, AK
- Khaleesi Bedortha Lockwood DJ TKI owned by Katy Lockwood & Alex Bedortha of Salt Lake City, UT
- A Sticky Situation DJ owned by Laurel Klest of Atlanta, GA
- Super Duper Trooper BCAT DJ DDBE TKN owned by April Mendlewski of Macomb, MI
- Always A Guardian RN BCAT DJ TKN owned by Payton Kubiak of Saint Peters, MO
- Schooner Richards RI FDC BCAT SCN SIN SBN RATN DJ DN CGCA CGCU owned by Danielle Richards of San Diego, CA
- Loulu Love Hillary FDC DJ CGCA CGCU TKP owned by Nora & Dan Hillary of Norco, CA
- Kola Kangaroo FDC BCAT DJ CGC owned by Michelle Vidlak of Omaha, NE
- Hanna’s Mollie DJ owned by Maxwell Hanna & Maude Kelleher of Auburn, WA
- Sully Ray DJ CGCA TKN VHMA owned by Kaley Platner of Hutchinson, KS
- Bit O Blarney Keegan Killarney BN RI MX AXJ MXF T2B CA BCAT DJ CGC TKA owned by Sarah & Cynthia Friedlander of Cleveland, OH
DJA
- Llanelli Lady In Black DCAT DS DJA owned by NanciEllyn Lazarowitz of Fremont, MI
- Bradley’s Daisy BN RI FDC AXP AJP OFP CAX FCAT2 SWN SCM SIA SHDE RATO CZ8S DJA DNA HDN CGCA CGCU TKI ATT VHMA owned by Alison & Kevin Bradley of Fayetteville, AR
- Honey Badger Don’T Care RN FDC NAP NJP NFP CAX DCAT ACT2 ACT2J DS DJA HDS CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VSWB owned by Kimberly Dickson & Jesse Blanchard of Stanfordville, NY
DJX
- Mrd Loyal Bailey DJX CGC TKN Michelle Duke of Marshall, TX
DM
- Murphy Mcsweeney DM DS CGC owned by Brian McSweeney & Katie Robinson of Dracut, MA
- Bowie The Bandit Wells ACT2 DM owned by Carlynn & Ken Wells of Phelan, CA
- Athena Knowles BCAT DE DM CGC TKI ATT VHMA VSWI owned by Kelly Knowles of Herndon, VA
- Scholet’s Belle DE DM owned by Alicia Scholet of Homosassa, FL
- Daisy Shaefer DM CGCA CGCU owned by Matthew Schaefer & Katrina Hendricks of Catskill, NY
- Rocco The Big Bad Brindle FCAT DM CGCA CGCU owned by Emily Davis of Smyrna, GA
- Haven’s Backstage Drama RATN DM CGC TKN owned by Sophie Fitzhugh of Blacklick, OH
- Ultraviolet The Phoenix Flame BCAT DM DS CGC owned by Krista Potter & Robert Utsey III of West New York, NJ
- Isabelle The Sparkle Princess NAP NJP DM DSA owned by Emily Maness of Conway, AR
DMA
- Matthews’ Meco DMA AS HDJ CGC TKI owned by Crystal Matthews of Corona, CA
DN
- Sno-Kist Cairoglyphics BCAT DJ DN HDN CGC TKN owned by Stephanie Sheaffer & Brittney Barber of Anchorage, AK
- Release the Rex CAA FCAT2 DN CGCA CGCU owned by Emily Davis of Smyrna, GA
- Isabella Rose Francesca THDN DN CGCA CGCU TKN owned by April & Cary Hudson of Nolanville, TX
- Happy Go Flappy CA BCAT DN CGC TKI owned by Catherine & John Gray of Des Moines, IA
- Overturned Conviction For The Win BCAT DN TKN owned by Stacia Smith & Tammy Failsi-Smith of Tamaqua, PA
- Schooner Richards RI FDC BCAT SCN SIN SBN RATN DJ DN CGCA CGCU TKI ATT VSWB owned by Danielle Richards of San Diego, CA
- Princess Flower RN AXP OJP OFP BCAT SWN DN CGCA CGCU TKN owned by Kimberly Christen of Canal Winchester, OH
- Mr. SweetFace Scooby CA BCAT DS DJ CGC TKA owned by Nicole Teitelbaum Guerrero of Tuscaloosa, AL
- Skye Pilot DN owned by Lynn Wesselmann of St. Louis, MO
DP
- Banquo’s Thunder Struck BCAT DP DEX AM DDS CGC TKN owned by Penny Leigh & Dale McElrath of Graham, NC
DS
- Hamilton The Acting Pup FDC DS CGC TKN ATT owned by Michelle Mace of Cabot, AR
- Benjamin Kevin Souksavath DCAT DS owned by Pamela Souksavath of Knoxville, TN
- Lht Revvvd Up N Ready To Race DS owned by Cindy & Ross Valdez of Temecula, CA
- Scholet’s Fulton DS DJ owned by Alicia Scholet of Homosassa, FL
- Ultraviolet The Phoenix Flame BCAT DM DS CGC owned by Krista Potter & Robert Utsey III of West New York, NJ
- Mckinley’s Coppere Trip RA DS owned by Patty McKinley of New Richmond, OH
- Barky Sparky AX MXJ XF T2B DCAT DS DJ owned by Michael Rimstad of Chisago City, MN
- Wee Beastie Fae Gitdoon NA BCAT DS DJ CGC TKN owned by Lisa Nurminen of Mount Pleasant, SC
- Kizzy Waffles BN RA OA NAJ BCAT ACT1 DS DJ CGCA CGCU TKN ATT owned by Judith Jackwood of Wooster, OH
- Ruby Schwarz DS CGC TKN VHMA owned by Deanna Schwarz & Casey Burnham of Houston, TX
- Max Of Moores Mill DS DJ CGC owned by Lynn Bruns of Waleska, GA
- West Michigans Willow DS owned by Jessica & Timothy Braun of Wyoming, MI
- Cinders Sissy AX OAJ XF DS DJ owned by Aadi A. Taute of Albuquerque, NM
- On Target Play By Ear DS TKA owned by Janet Klapac of North Lima, OH
- Mr. SweetFace Scooby CA BCAT DS DJ CGC TKA owned by Nicole Teitelbaum Guerrero of Tuscaloosa, AL
- Stonewall Manor’s Family Business CA FCAT DS TKN owned by Casey Gagnon-Shippee & Timothy Shippee of Dayville, CT
- Hop River’s Golden Nugget DS owned by Candice Baugher of Wellford, SC
- Scotia-Dunbar Singleton RA DS CGCA TKE owned by Jennifer Singleton of Rome, GA
- Sir Winston Furchill DS owned by Jessica Williams of Bloomington, MN
- Major Canada DS owned by Caitlyn & Jonathan Canada of Altamonte Springs, FL
- Honey Badger Don’T Care RN FDC NAP NJP NFP CAX DCAT ACT2 ACT2J DS DJA HDS CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VSWB owned by Kimberly Dickson & Jesse Blanchard of Stanfordville, NY
DSA
- Isabelle The Sparkle Princess NAP NJP DM DSA owned by Emily Maness of Conway, AR
HDJ
- Matthews’ Meco DMA AS HDJ CGC TKI owned by Crystal Matthews of Corona, CA
- Armstrong’s Lucy CA FCAT2 SCN RATO DJ DN HDJ CGCA CGCU TKN owned by Cassandra Armstrong of Longwood, FL
HDN
- Sno-Kist Cairoglyphics BCAT DJ DN HDN CGC TKN owned by Stephanie Sheaffer & Brittney Barber of Anchorage, AK
HDS
- Honey Badger Don’T Care RN FDC NAP NJP NFP CAX DCAT ACT2 ACT2J DS DJA HDS CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VSWB owned by Kimberly Dickson & Jesse Blanchard of Stanfordville, NY
North American Flyball Association
AKC recognizes three titles of NAFA competitors – the Flyball Dog Champion (FDCh) for 500 points; Flyball Master (FM) for 5,000 points; and the Onyx award for 20,000 points. For more information on NAFA and how to get involved go to www.flyball.org
Congratulations to this All-American Dog for earning the FDCH:
- Whisky Tango Foxtrot The Small Hunter RN FDCH CGC TKA owned by Lorena Padron of Tomball, TX
Congratulations to these All American Dogs for earning the ONYX:
Sc’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun FDC OA OAJ SWM SHDN ONYX TKI owned by Margaret & Bruce Boulanger of Houston, TX
Bruce and Margaret adopted Joy from Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston in February 2013. “She immediately made herself at home and made best friends with her canine brother Draco. She is a sweet, loving companion who makes friends with everyone she meets except for the neighborhood squirrels,” Margaret said.
Flyball training began soon after Joy joined the Boulanger family. At first she didn’t want anything to do with a ball, but quickly learn to retrieve it. She ran in her first Flyball tournament in the Houston area in May 2014. She has primarily run in the Houston area but has run in tournaments in other Texas cities, Alabama and at CanAm in Indianapolis. “She is consistent in her performance and can run in any position and for any handler that shows her the reward cookies,” Margaret said. She earned her ONYX on September 19, 2021, at a tournament in Kerrville, Texas. In recognition of ten years of racing, Joy earned the Iron Dog at the 2022 CanAm tournament.
Joy competed in Agility, earning Open Standard and Open Jumpers with Weaves titles. She currently competes in Scent Work and earned her Scent Work Master Title in 2022.
Missjiff.Gif NAP NJP OFP CA FCAT4 ACT2 ACT2J ONYX CGC TKN owned by Mrs. Maureen Setter of Orange Park, FL
When Maureen flew up north to pick up Gif at 8 weeks of age, in the hotel lobby she rolled a ball that Gif immediately chased and brought back. “Right then I knew I had my flyball dog,” Maureen said. “Everyone’s goal when they start flyball is to earn the ONYX title. This is a very big deal!”
Only about 10% of dogs competing in NAFA earn the coveted ONYX title. “Gif earned hers when she was 5 ½. It actually only took her about three years to earn the title when you consider she had to be 15 months old to compete and then had a 1 ½ year layoff because of COVID.” In addition to competing in flyball Gif has been invited three times to the AKC FastCAT Invitational. During the COVID pandemic she started agility and loves it.
Search and Rescue
The skills of search and rescue (SAR) dogs can mean the difference between life and death, especially during natural disasters, mass casualty events, and when locating missing people. We are proud to honor the invaluable service of these dogs and their owners through our Search and Rescue title program.
Title recognition is offered for FEMA certified Urban Search and Rescue dogs, as well as Wilderness Search and Rescue dogs.
Congratulations to this All American Dog for earning the SAR-W (Wilderness Search and Rescue) title:
Wilson Goodbuddy SAR-W owned by Maggi Pariera of Poulsbo, WA
Wilson, a Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix, was born in 2014. Their journey in SAR began when Wilson learned to track. “He loves dragging me around on a leash looking for people,” Maggi said. “He loved going out to the field and tracking the trainer’s footsteps and finding the hotdog pieces he would drop. We did it thousands of times, the tracks got longer, the hot dogs got fewer but the fun at the end was always the best.”
Their trainer, a former police K9 trainer, agreed with Maggi that Wilson had the drive. And Maggi had the dedication to become part of a SAR team. She earned the needed certifications and began taking Wilson to training with their county’s team. Their tracking easily became trailing, and once Wilson understood that he was now looking for the scent given to him at the start, “it would lead him to a fun person.” His scent detection work made this easier to understand. They were ready to test within the first six months for their National wilderness SAR trailing certificate with the NSDA (National Search Dog Alliance). It was supposed to be a one-mile test, but it ended up being three miles because the hider took a very long route to the hiding spot. But Maggi trusted Wilson, and after an exhausting search, he found him. From that point on they were qualified to search for lost or missing people when the sheriff would request their help. They train almost every Saturday and sometimes find Maggi’s friends on weekdays.
Maggi and Wilson have also earned a couple of Rally Novice legs, and Maggi volunteers at a rescue reactive dog program, where Wilson helps out by being the neutral dog.
