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:
Whispering Winds Ziggy RN THDS CGC TKA FITG owned by Bonnie & Charles Bird of Bellingham, WA
Ziggy has been a therapy dog since his first birthday in late May 2022. In two years, he has made more than 600 documented visits to schools, clinics, colleges, technical schools, hospitals, and libraries, bringing smiles to faces everywhere he goes. He was shy when he started his therapy dog career but has blossomed into an outgoing and confident dog.
At the local hospital, Ziggy will enter the patient’s room, go to the bed, and wait for permission to stand on his hind legs and greet the person who has asked for the visit. If he is invited onto the bed, he will quietly hop up and snuggle as requested.
If Bonnie and Ziggy haven’t received a request for a visit, they go to waiting rooms in the lobby, the emergency room, and on the various hospital floors. They inevitably find someone who needs a little ‘puppy love’ at a stressful time. “Sometimes it’s a small child who is innocent of proper behavior toward dogs,” Bonnie said. “Ziggy seems to understand this and acts accordingly. He is incredibly gentle with kids.”
On or about his 600th therapy dog visit, Bonnie and Ziggy entered the waiting room of the pediatrics clinic and found a group of children sitting with their caregivers. “Ziggy approached and, with a combination of bowing and wagging, invited them to play,” Bonnie said. “The waiting room was instantly transformed from an anxiety-filled space to a wonderful playground with laughter and expressions of glee.”
“I thank all the children and adults who have helped Ziggy grow and mature into the gentle creature he has become. He clearly enjoys his work. More importantly, he is good at it.”
Congratulations also to these dogs on earning the THDS:
- Annie Bobannie THDS CGCA owned by Christie & Rod Wickert of Galena, MO
- Princess Snowy-Doodles THDS CGC owned by William Whitman of Forked River, NJ
- Bentley Sydow THDS CGC owned by Sunhai Chung Sydow & Philip Sydow of Williamsburg, VA
- Junie II THDS CGC owned by Elizabeth Farr Carey of Ithaca, NY
Barn Hunt Spring 2024
Congratulations to this dog on earning the Barn Hunt Champion (RATCh) title:
Luke Killpack CD RM FDC SWM SCME SBME SHDA RATCH CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Deborah Killpack of Helena, MT
When Deborah chose Luke as a puppy, he was deemed “unsociable,” but the litter owner agreed to let her try working with him as she had 30-plus years’ experience training and showing three-day event horses. Thus began their amazing journey to 43 AKC titles, invitations to nationals in Rally Excellent and Rally Master, and an invitation to nationals in Barn Hunt Master.
When Luke was 3, Deborah was rear-ended in a major car accident that left her with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). She had to relearn many life skills and was prescribed a service dog. Again, because of her equestrian training experience, she was allowed to work with service dog trainers and train Luke as her service dog.
Part of Deborah’s recovery included working with games and puzzles. Her puzzle choice was to compete in rally and this opened a door to the dog world that changed her life.
“The past five years have included both an amazing recovery and falling in love with dog sports and dog training,” Deborah said. “During those years Luke was a rock star… and he still is.”
Since having to close her horse boarding/training business due to the TBI, Deborah has built and operated Heads Up K9 dog training facility, become an AKC CGC Evaluator, and completed an AKC Scent Work Judges’ Seminar.
“I owe all of this to Luke – the dog who has done everything I have ever asked of him, in spades.”
Luke earned his RATCh on Oct. 29, 2023, at Montana K9 Sports in Arlee, MT.
Congratulations also to these dogs who have earned the RATCh:
- Maggie May Carey MX MXB MXJ XF FCAT2 RATCH CGCA TKA FITS owned by Ana Mendivil & Jared Carey of Magnolia, TX
- Salsa Verde Y Picante RATCH CGC owned by ANA SOFIA GUERRA Edmonds, WA
RATCHX2
- It’s All About The Lincolns Baby NA OAJ XF BCAT SCN SEN RATCHX2 CZ8P TKA owned by LIZ ALFORD of Little Elm, TX
RATCHX8
- Kipbomb’s Little Miss Violet RM FDC OAP OJP NFP FCAT SWE SIEE RATCHX8 CZ8P2 CGCA CGCU TKA ATT FITB owned by Jeanne & Rober Lagesse of Hampton, VA
CZ8B
- Hank Gilgen RN FDC SIA SEN SBN RATS CZ8B CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Lesa Andersen Gilgen of Morgan, UT
CZ8B
- LSK’s Beauty Of The Islands AXP AJP XFP CAX2 FCAT3 RATM CZ8B DS DJA AJ TKP owned by Amanda Lackey of Hoover, AL
CZ8G
- It’s All About The Lincolns Baby NA OAJ XF BCAT SCN SEN RATCHX2 CZ8P TKA owned by LIZ ALFORD of Little Elm, TX
CZ8P
- It’s All About The Lincolns Baby NA OAJ XF BCAT SCN SEN RATCHX2 CZ8P TKA owned by LIZ ALFORD of Little Elm, TX
- OREO VANDERHOOF FCAT THDX CZ8P CGC ATT owned by LISA VANDERHOOF/KEN VANDERHOOF of Denville, NJ
RATM
- Alabama’s Finest Phenix CAX FCAT2 SWA RATM owned by Maren Waldner of Canton, CT
- LSK’s Beauty Of The Islands AXP AJP XFP CAX2 FCAT3 RATM CZ8B DS DJA AJ TKP owned by Amanda Lackey of Hoover, AL
- Kelly’s Logan NAP NJP FCAT3 RATN TKN FITG owned by Dianna Kelly of Boonsboro, MD
RATN
- Hammer Time Harlow CA DCAT RATN DJ CGCA CGCU TKA VSWI FITB owned by Samantha Callejo of Millbury, MA
- Riley Faith Rescued And Resilient RATN TKI owned by JESSICA HELEN RIGGI/MICHAEL Jeffrey Allen of Lancaster, NY
- Van Zant Lord Of The Meatheads RN BCAT RATN DJ CGCA TKA VHMA owned by Cassandra Koch of Copley, OH
- Plano Pudge OA AXJ RATN owned by Lisa Meyer of Plano, TX
- Roscoe The Blue-Eyed Bandit BCAT RATN owned by Chloe Adams & Andrew Stebbins of Minneapolis, MN
- Ford Prefect BN RE FDC BCAT RATN CGC TKA VHMA owned by Natasha Chilton of Cheyenne, WY
- DMT’s Christmas In Dixie FDC CAX11 FCAT43 RATN DN CGCA CGCU TKP ATT FITG FTI owned by Danny Terry of Eclectic, AL
- Lantern’s Ember RATN CGC TKI owned by Danielle Sansoucy of Belchertown, MA
- Shadow Handsome Mutt BN FDC OA NAJ CAX DCAT ACT1 ACT2J RATN CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA FITB owned by Elaine Flores & Gordon Adams-Smith of San Diego, CA
- Knox VIII RATN DS CGC TKA owned by Kasia Krajewski of Chula Vista, CA
- Willow Storm RATN CGC TKI VHMA owned by Ashley Carpenter of Severn, MD
- Lily Belle Sikes RI RATN CGCA owned by Martha & James Sikes of Bristow, OK
- Turbo XXIV DCAT RATN owned by Shelby Henry of Delphi, IN
- Cleetus Morris RN RATN owned by Amber Morris of Cornelius, OR
- I Want A Doodle To Be My Girl Scout RATN CGCA CGCU TKI ATT owned by Bonnie London of Shalimar, FL
- Khaleesi Kilgo RN BCAT RATN CGCA TKN FTN owned by Haley Kilgo of Addison, AL
- Overturned Conviction For The Win DCAT RATN DN TKN owned by Stacia Smith & Tammy Failsi-Smith of Tamaqua, PA
- Athena Knowles RE FDC CAA FCAT4 ACT2J RATN DE DM DDS CGCA CGCU TKE ATT BN-V VHMA VSWE FITG FTN owned by Kelly Knowles of Leesburg, VA
- Starfleet’s Princess Leia RATN CGCA CGCU TKE VHMA FITB owned by Savanna Schmidt of Fort Wainwright, AK
RATO
- Pawley Poch Gilroy SWA SCE SHDE RATO CGC TKN owned by Andrea Gilroy of Amityville, NY
- Kola Kangaroo BN RN FDC DCAT SCA SIA SEN RATO DS DJ CGC TKI owned by Michelle Vidlak of Omaha, NE
- Happy Go Flappy FDC CA DCAT RATO DNX CGCA TKI owned by Catherine & Justin Gray of Des Moines, IA
- Oliver Bhatia NFP RATO CGCA TKN owned by Alpa Bhatia of Bear, DE
- Huckleberry Finn V RATO TKN owned by Annie Jasinski of Ringoes, NJ
RATS
- Hank Gilgen RN FDC SIA SEN SBN RATS CZ8B CGCA CGCU TKI owned by Lesa Andersen Gilgen of Morgan, UT
- Mission To Mars BCAT THD RATS DS DJ CGCA CGCU TKP VHMA FITB owned by Emily Miller of Lexington, KY
- Stevie M Nyx SCN SIN SBN RATS owned by Patty Michak of Hansville, WA
- White Oak’s Just Call Me Spencer SCN RATS CGC FITB owned by Rober Lagesse of Hampton, VA
North American Diving Dogs
DM – Dock Master
Zovakingfast RATN DM DS FITS owned by Catherine Weiss of Grundy Center, IA
Zova was born on Feb. 11, 2023, and is a mix of mostly Australian Cattle Dog, a little Australian Shepherd, and a pinch of Border Collie. She has earned quite an array of titles ranging from Barn Hunt to fitness to her most recent achievement of Performer Trick Dog. Her one true love, though, is dock diving.
Zova’s journey began when she was just a few weeks old, immediately showing interest in all things water and an eagerness to jump into it. It wasn’t the path Cate had planned for her, but it was the path she wanted to take. So, they have been learning the sport together, and on Jan. 20, 2024, Zova earned her Dock Master title at just 11 months old and with a new personal best of 22.5 feet. This year’s goal is to earn the DMA title and to get an invitation to regionals.
When she can’t play in the water, Zova can be found packed up and hiking on trails or playing with her Jolly Ball or discs. She continues to inspire and amaze Cate with her determination, athleticism, and boundless enthusiasm for anything they try.
AJ
- LSK’s Beauty Of The Islands AXP AJP XFP CAX2 FCAT3 RATM CZ8B DS DJA AJ TKP owned by Amanda Lackey of Hoover, AL
ANA
- Fergus Of Chapman Clan SWN DJX DNX ANA HDNA TKN owned by Susan Chapman of Roanoke, VA
DJ
- Princess Flower BN RN AXP AJP MFP BCAT SWN SIA RATN DS DJ CGCA CGCU TKI FITS owned by Kimberly M. Christen of Pickerington, OH
- Mesa Moo SWE SEM DJ owned by Jennifer L. Hower of Albuquerque, NM
- Johnnie On The Rocks DJ owned by Samantha Coiner & Natalie Coiner of Murfreesboro, TN
DJA
- Hullabaloo’s All Ears FDC OAP NJP CA BCAT ACT1 ACT2J RATN DSA DJA HDN CGCA CGCU TKA VHMA VSWB owned by Isabella Kess Boone of Houston, TX
DJX
- Fergus Of Chapman Clan SWN DJX DNX ANA HDNA TKN owned by Susan Chapman of Roanoke, VA
DN
- DMT’s Christmas In Dixie FDC CAX11 FCAT43 RATN DN CGCA CGCU TKP ATT FITG FTI owned by Danny Terry of Eclectic, AL
- I Have Them All Fooled, Lana Angel AXP AJP CAX FCAT2 ACT2 SCN DN CGCU TKN FITB owned by Kris Voit & William Hoosier of Haymarket, VA
- Miller’s Brew Broski BCAT DN CGCA CGCU TKI VHMA owned by Sarah Miller of Jacksonville, FL
DS
- Kola Kangaroo BN RN FDC DCAT SCA SIA SEN RATO DS DJ CGC TKI owned by Michelle Vidlak of Omaha, NE
- Norsk Farm I Won’T Back Down BCAT DS owned by Kristina Olson of Winneconne, WI
- LSK’s Beauty Of The Islands AXP AJP XFP CAX2 FCAT3 RATM CZ8B DS DJA AJ TKP owned by Amanda Lackey of Hoover, AL
DSX4
- Found By God’s Grace, Kaylee Grace OAP OJP FCAT5 ACT2 SIN DSX4 DN CGCU TKN FITB owned by Kris Voit & William Hoosier of Haymarket, VA
HDN
- Hullabaloo’s All Ears FDC OAP NJP CA BCAT ACT1 ACT2J RATN DSA DJA HDN CGCA CGCU TKA VHMA VSWB owned by Isabella Kess Boone of Houston, TX
HDNA
- Fergus Of Chapman Clan SWN DJX DNX ANA HDNA TKN owned by Susan Chapman of Roanoke, VA
North American Flyball Association (NAFA)
Smith’s Myrtle FDCH TKN FITB owned by Mollie E. Smith of Lakewood, WA
Three-year-old Myrtle weights about 16 pounds and was born in spring of 2021 in Tijuana. Mollie adopted her from a local rescue that July.
“She has always loved playing fetch,” Mollie said. “It was evident that we had a little sport dog on our hands when she would chase apples in the backyard at just 20 weeks old.”
Mollie knew from the start that Myrtle needed a job or sport and at 9 months they had that chance. A local flyball club was offering classes so they signed up. It was a 6-week course, and Myrtle was immediately dubbed a “superstar.” The pair was invited to attend regular club practices, and Myrtle loved every minute of them. In November 2022, she competed in her first tournament, earning her first 50 points. She was welcomed onto the team, and they continued attending practices and tournaments, earning points towards NAFA titles along the way. On Sept. 9, 2023, at the Say Cheese Tournament in Tillamook, OR, she earned her Flyball Dog Champion title.
“Myrtle is an amazing pet and an awesome little sport dog. When we aren’t playing ball, she enjoys snuggling, long walks, climbing trees, swimming, and Fast CAT,” Mollie said. “She got me into dog sports, and I will be forever grateful for her loyalty and tenacity in everything she does.”
Blair’s Skye FDCH owned by Megan Blair of Grand Island, NE
Five-year-old Skye “is the best of both worlds – beauty and brains!” Blair said. His journey began when Blair’s 14-year-old Husky mix was diagnosed with cancer. The day he had surgery was also the day Skye was born. Megan knew that this was a connection.
When Skye was just under 6 months old, they started with obedience and while he enjoyed that, Megan saw that he had the drive for something a little faster paced. There is no flyball in her area, so online she found a group about 90 miles away. They began their twice-monthly team practice sessions in late 2019. While COVID put a damper on the team practice, they continued to work and practice at home until they could return.
They have since joined a team and formed some wonderful friendships. Skye’s debut was in Omaha in late 2023. He earned his Flyball Dog Champion (FDCH) at The Companion Dog Club in Omaha, NE, on Dec. 2, 2023. Since then, he also earned his Flyball Dog Champion-Silver (FDCH-S) on Feb. 18, 2024, also in Omaha.
Megan and Skye have not yet traveled outside of Nebraska but plan to attend a tournament in Amana, IA, in the fall and the 2024 CanAm Flyball Classic in Indianapolis, IN in October. “Skye is an amazing member of our family, from the flyball lanes to snuggling on the couch with his tiny human at home; our lives are very blessed.”
Photography by Mya Mackey Photography
