Tag Archives: ACE 2020

Dog News

2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Exemplary Companion Dog / Tara the Flat-Coated Retriever

Photo: AKC Humane Fund
Photo: AKC Humane Fund

“Tara,” is a four-year-old Flat-Coated Retriever owned by Mary Pat Corrigan of Flint Hill, VA. Born into an elite family, Tara’s mother won her breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the AKC National Championship and the Flat-Coated Retriever National Specialty. But, when Tara was born with a short right front leg and no paw, she was not expected to survive.

Tara not only survived, but persevered, becoming a superior athlete in dock diving. Currently, she is nationally ranked as the #3 Flat-Coated Retriever in Air Retrieve and #6 in her breed in Distance. She has also already qualified for Distance at the North American Diving Dogs (NADD) Nationals this year. Continue reading 2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Exemplary Companion Dog / Tara the Flat-Coated Retriever →

Dog News

2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Search & Rescue Dog / Shiraz the Belgian Malinois

Photo: AKC Humane Fund
Photo: AKC Humane Fund

“Shiraz,” officially known as CH Bord du Lac Shiraz CDX ROM1, is a 12-year-old Belgian Malinois, certified as a Human Remains Detection Dog by the National Network of Canine Detection Services. She is a highly acclaimed search and rescue dog working with her owner and handler, Susan Goodhope of Havana, FL.

In her storied career spanning over a decade, Shiraz has taken part in over seventy searches throughout the southeast, including forensic, archaeological, and historic searches. In 2013, Shiraz was tasked with locating a Native American burial mound that was referenced in a publication after Archaeologists were unable to locate it for eight years. After searching for an hour in an overgrown, wooded area, Shiraz gave the indication that she detected human remains. A meter underground from where she indicated, a human toe bone was discovered, and radiocarbon dated all the way back to 670 A.D. Continue reading 2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Search & Rescue Dog / Shiraz the Belgian Malinois →

Dog News

2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Service Dog / Luke the Lab

Photo: AKC Humane Fund
Photo: AKC Humane Fund

“Luke,” a six-year-old Labrador Retriever, serves as a mobility service dog for his owner, Ryan Garrison of Beavercreek, OH. Garrison enlisted in the U.S. Air Force immediately following the September 11th attacks on the twin towers and was severely injured while deployed in Iraq in 2006. His injuries included fractured and torn disks in his back, which have resulted in numerous surgeries, chronic pain and anxiety.

Luke was paired with Ryan as his mobility service dog in 2016 through the nonprofit organization, Warrior Canine Connection (WCC). Luke not only helps Garrison with his mobility and everyday tasks, but since being paired with him, Garrison has been able to better control his anxiety and has even decreased his need for medication. Even more importantly, Ryan credits Luke with shifting his entire perspective on life – bringing him out of a dark place and giving him a new sense of positivity and happiness. Continue reading 2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Service Dog / Luke the Lab →

Dog News

2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Therapy Dog / Monson the Dalmatian

Photo: AKC Humane Fund
Photo: AKC Humane Fund

“Monson,” officially known as CH Yankee Sebago & Patch Mt Miles To Go Monson CGCU, BN, RA, TDIAOV, THDX, TKP, OAP, OJP, NFP, CC, RD is a nine-year-old Dalmatian owned by Melissa MacWilliams of Buxton, ME. Monson has competed in various AKC sports, including Conformation, Agility, Rally, and Obedience, but his work as a therapy dog is where he truly stands out.

As part of his extensive list of therapy work, Monson visits a teen shelter to provide love and comfort to homeless adolescents struggling with mental illness, abuse, addiction, PTSD, and gender identity. Monson also provides comfort at an organization for adults who are transitioning from homelessness and struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health issues. Continue reading 2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Therapy Dog / Monson the Dalmatian →

Dog News, K-9

2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Uniformed Service K-9 / Stella the Bloodhound

Photo: AKC Humane Fund
Photo: AKC Humane Fund

“K-9 Stella” is a three-year-old Bloodhound working for the Tallahassee Police Department Special Victims Unit as a Scent Evidence K-9 with her handler, Paul Coley, CEO of Scent Evidence K-9 and former FBI Forensic Canine Operations Specialist. Stella and Coley have been working cases for their department as well as several federal, state, and local agencies for the past two years.

Along with her handler, Stella has worked multiple missing persons cases involving people affected with Alzheimer’s or Dementia wandering off. Stella has an impressive record of confirmed trails leading to the recovery of missing persons in the Florida panhandle. In addition to her work bringing missing persons home, Stella is an essential resource for the Tallahassee Police Department Special Victims Unit, assisting with several criminal apprehensions and is even credited with the apprehension of two double homicide suspects. Continue reading 2020 AKC Humane Fund ACE Winner: Uniformed Service K-9 / Stella the Bloodhound →