Since the 1980's, there have been significant advances in the field of animal assisted therapy and the use of therapy dogs. Organized therapy dog groups provide educational material to volunteers, they screen both volunteers and dogs, and they provide liability insurance for when the dog and handler are volunteering in a therapy setting. Therapy dog […]

The purpose of this program is to recognize AKC dogs and their owners who have given their time and helped people by volunteering as a therapy dog and owner team. The AKC Therapy Dog™ program awards official AKC titles to dogs who have worked to improve the lives of the people they have visited. AKC […]

The moment a volunteer with a therapy dog walks into a room, you can instantly feel a change in mood. All eyes focus on them, as smiles spread across everyone’s faces. Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specifically trained to perform a task or tasks to assist a person […]

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 […]

Not everyone will understand the importance of “rat catchers,” but if you live in the countryside, you sure do! “Rat catchers” rid farms of destructive vermin – and the hunting and teamwork skills required to do so are the foundation of the sport of Barn Hunt. Dogs and their handlers work as a team to locate […]

While it's difficult to train an unenthusiastic dog, it can be equally tricky to work with a dog that's bouncing off the walls with excitement. Here's why.

This is part of a series of profiles on the six top mixed-breed dogs that received the invitations to compete in the 2017 AKC Agility Invitational. The annual event takes place Dec. 15-17 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC/Royal Canin National Championship and the AKC Obedience Classic. Name: MACH8 Donaldson's Daisy MXC2 MJS3 […]

If you've got pets, you know a pet-friendly home is a must. Whether you have cats, dogs, hamsters, or maybe a mixture, they're going to spend most‚ if not all, of their time in your house. So, how do you make sure the place is a perfect fit for Fido and Fluffy? Here are four […]

This is the fourth of a series of features on 2017's AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence Winners who will be honored Dec. 16-17 at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando. "The White Fluffy Puppy That Became a Tow Truck." Sounds like the perfect title for a children's book, doesn't […]

This is part of a series of profiles on the six top mixed-breed dogs that received the invitations to compete in the 2017 AKC Agility Invitational. The annual event takes place Dec. 15-17 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC/Royal Canin National Championship and the AKC Obedience Classic. Name: MACH3 Jeter Morris MXS MJS […]