The American Kennel Club announced recently that Rosemary Redditt of the Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego (California) and Bob Eisele of the Suffolk County Kennel Club (New York) have been honored with AKC Community Achievement Awards for the second quarter of 2012.
The AKC Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized federations and their members. The AKC selects award recipients who promote purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership within their communities or who have successfully introduced, monitored and responded to legislative issues affecting dog ownership.
Rosemary Redditt, Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego
Rosemary Redditt was a volunteer member of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue Bureau from 1978 to 2006. She served as a member of the operations committee and as a training advisor for the California Rescue Dog Association from 1991 to 2005. Along with her rigorous work as a SAR volunteer, Ms. Redditt served as Unit Commander, was a public speaker, and facilitated training and special events for approximately 25 subordinates.
In 1990, she trained her AKC registered Doberman Pinscher, "Katie," for mission-ready status in Area Search. During their ten years as search and rescue (SAR) partners, Ms. Redditt and Katie performed water, cadaver, and urban disaster searches. She was deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Task Force to the 1994 Northridge earthquake as a canine search specialist.
AKC Doberman Pinscher "Berry" became Ms. Redditt's SAR partner in 2000. Berry attained several certifications and the team participated in wilderness, urban, cadaver, water, and disaster searches during their six years as a SAR team. During one search, they were lifted up the face of a fire-gutted hotel to search an area that could only be accessed through a second story window. They performed five different cliff searches, and once climbed over 50 tons of dirt and rock that had fallen from a bluff to the beach below.
"I was involved in searches throughout California, including San Diego County, and responded to and searched in Arizona and Baja California, Mexico," Redditt said.
After retiring from SAR work in 2006, Ms. Redditt and Berry were certified as a therapy dog team and made hundreds of visits to schools, camps, youth groups, retirement homes and other facilities. She presented programs on selecting a dog as a family pet, SAR work, AKC events, and responsible dog care.
Ms. Redditt serves on the board of the Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club of San Diego (ADPC) and participates in events to educate the public about the ADPC's Doberman Pinscher Rescue program. "I have had many opportunities over the past 20 years in promoting purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership," Redditt said.
"Rosemary's Berry, her Doberman of 15 years, recently passed away," said Nancy Ledyard, past president of ADPC. "Now more than ever, this achievement means so much."
Bob Eisele, Suffolk County Kennel Club
Bob Eisele has dedicated his involvement with the Suffolk County Kennel Club (SCKC) to increasing engagement within the community. He spearheaded the initiation and growth of the Suffolk County Kennel Club's AKC Canine Experience. Past AKC Canine Experience events hosted by the SCKC included conformation matches; obedience, agility, rally, earth dog, and grooming demonstrations; handling classes; AKC's Canine Good Citizen® tests; mentoring for stewards; and Juniors seminars.
More than 30 breeds were showcased at breed booths and "meet and greet" sessions were held for new exhibitors and new dog owners. Twenty-two area clubs and more than 500 spectators participated in the 2011 event, which debuted a mentoring program for stewards. The 2012 event is scheduled to include an AKC Open Show.
With the goal of providing a celebration of "All Things Dogs," Mr. Eisele encouraged involvement by other dog-related organizations in SCKC's annual AKC Dog Show and Expo. A canine hospice, local search and rescue teams, animal shelters, guide dog and assistance dog organizations, pet rescue groups, and other clubs and community organizations took part in the SCKC conformation show with booths and demonstrations. The event was promoted by a banner on the corner of the community's main street and local political leaders were invited to present awards.
Mr. Eisele worked with representatives of the town of Smithtown to include an SCKC educational booth alongside business and community booths at the Smithtown Town Fair. He visits local schools and youth organizations to discuss responsible dog ownership and to encourage participation at SCKC events.
In addition to educational and community outreach events, Mr. Eisele initiated a Legislative Awareness seminar for area kennel clubs hosted by the SCKC. He worked with local and state legislators to demonstrate the AKC's and SCKC's value to the community and to encourage the development of dog-friendly venues and parks on Long Island.
"We are pleased to honor Rosemary Redditt, Bob Eisele, and the members of their clubs for their hard work on behalf of their communities. Their dedication to demonstrating the value of purebred dogs as both companions and working canines is truly exceptional. These recipients are very deserving of the AKC Community Achievement Award," said Sheila Goffe, AKC Director of Government Relations.
Nominations for the AKC Community Achievement Award are accepted year-round. Honorees receive a certificate of appreciation and a $1,000 check payable to their AKC club or AKC-recognized federation to further public education and government relations efforts. For the fourth quarter awards, AKC clubs, federations and their members who host AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day events during the month of September are eligible for nomination. Click here to nominate an individual, club or federation.
