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AKC EDUCATION SUMMIT

by Margaret DiCorleto, CCCI Delegate

The American Kennel Club sponsored an Educa- activities, signed off by a club officer or parent/
tion Summit on June 10, 2018 prior to the June guardian, Juniors will receive a pin to commemo-
Delegates Meeting. This daylong conference was rate each year they are active in the program. Ms.
open to members of Parent Clubs and All-Breed O’Neill stressed that clubs, especially national clubs,
Clubs and provided an overview of AKC mission, need children. Clubs can reach out to 4-H groups,
accomplishments and new initiatives. Boy/Girl Scout troops, or other youth groups to
Doug Ljungren, AKC Executive Vice President of engage young people. She also reminded clubs that
Sports and Events, reviewed the evolution of dog they can set the fee, or no fee, for any event. Details
sports and discussed the importance of reaching of the new Junior Ambassador Program can be
new generations of dog fanciers. A large percentage found at www.akc.org/sports/juniors
of pet owners agree that adopting a shelter animal Mark Dunn, Executive Vice President, gave a
is the best way to get a pet. The use of Limited detailed report on registration data contrasting
Registration by breeders has affected the availability growth of some breeds and decline of others. There
of pure-breed dogs and has contributed to a decline are 50 breeds that account for 80% of registrations.
in conformation show entries. He asked, “Why do Since 2008, 56 breeds have increased registration
people want to get involved in dog events?” Many and 109 have declined. The increased use of Lim-
people see dog events as fun for their dogs, a way to ited Registration by breeders has impacted these
meet like-minded people, a way to develop a sense figures. Declining number of available pure-bred
of accomplishment by achieving reasonable goals, puppies affects the public’s ability to purchase and
and a way for them and their dogs to stay healthy affects entries in conformation events. There is
by staying physically and mentally active. On the growing concern about breed preservation.
other hand, involvement in dog events is time He stressed that Parent Clubs need a well-designed
consuming and costly and not always a “feel good” website for their breed and should use social media
experience. and regional clubs to increase public exposure.
AKC offers 17 traditional sports and 8 non-tradi- The Roberts Center in Wilmington, Ohio is an
tional activities. Since 1989 when the Canine Good excellent venue for national specialties.
Citizen Test was introduced, a million dogs have Brandi Hunter, Vice President of Communications
passed the test. Agility, Rally, the Star Puppy pro- and Public Relations, talked about how clubs can
gram, and the new Trick Dog titles have become best present themselves through the use of social
very popular. media. She recommended that clubs use two of the
Glenn Lycan, AKC Director of Event Operations three top media resources-Facebook, Twitter, or
Support, and Guy Fisher, Manager of Club Devel- Instagram. She encouraged establishing a relation-
opment, with a panel of club members, spoke about ship with the media by designating one or two club
ways clubs can be more successful. Clubs can offer members as “media contacts” and communicat-
fun events and activities that appeal to all segments ing with the media throughout the year not just to
of the dog owning public. Some clubs have held publicize a show or event.
canine costume contests and Pee Wee competition. Ashley Jacot, Public Education Manager, and Nan-
They can encourage social interaction and offer cy Fisk, Delegate for Hockamock KC, talked about
educational programs-ice cream socials and health ways that clubs can be involved in the community,
clinics. Clubs can work together to offer a variety of including a number of Public Education initia-
events and, if they do, it is important that they have tives. Ms. Fisk said that clubs can and should do a
a Letter of Understanding. Clubs should not hesi- lot, but that each individual club member should
tate to contact either of these two AKC staff mem- be an advocate for pure-bred dogs. Ms. Jacot listed
bers for an individual assessment of their club. a number of programs including AKC Patch and
Mari-beth O’Neill, AKC Vice President of Sports Canine Ambassador. Educational resources include
Services, reviewed some of the opportunities avail- lesson plans and books. Details can be found on the
able to Juniors such as scholarships, handling clin- AKC webpage. An AKC Reading Pal program (for
ics, an e-newsletter, and a new Junior Ambassador Canine Ambassadors) and Canine Clubs are going
Program. This program encourages and rec- to be introduced.
ognizes Juniors for their participation in club Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President of Government
activities. Upon completion of the age-based Relations, gave a brief overview of current efforts

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