It’s an idea that’s supremely welcome, if not long needed: The #AKC announced in early February, 2016, the launch of the AKC Canine Officer Program that will recognize dogs that work for government agencies including the military, police, TSA, border patrol, USDA, transit authorities and more.
From the press release: “These modern day working dogs use inherited characteristics and skills that are valued and preserved by traditional performance events. They possess the skills, intelligence and necessary cooperative attitudes to excel at their jobs.” Sounds like everything we love about purebred dogs. To nominate a Canine Officer, click here.
Photo of “Neeko,” a German Shepherd Dog working for the Ross Township Police Department in Pennsylvania who was the recipient of a protective vest purchased by the German Shepherd Dog Club of Western Pennsylvania from Vested Interest in K9s in 2015. The club donated the funds for the vest in memory of “Rocco,” one of the twenty K-9s who died in the line of duty in the United States in 2014. Image from the AKC website via TribLive.