2011 Contest Special Awards
Entry fee for Special Awards is $7.00 plus an extra copy of material and entry form for each award.
Material must be entered first in Regular category at the specified fee to be eligible for a Special Award.
Download the Application form
- AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Public Service Award
- Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, this award goes to the writer of a print or online feature article that best educates pet owners about responsible dog ownership. The award consists of a plaque and a $500 cash grant. To enter, submit one article, which must also be entered in this year’s contest in one of the regular categories.
- AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
- This award is for the best article in a national, regional, or local AKC club publication in magazine or newsletter format. The award consists of a plaque and a $500 cash grant.
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen Award
Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, this award is for the best writing about the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program or the puppy level of CGC, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy.
Recognized as the ‘gold standard’ for family dog manners, CGC and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy focus on teaching good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to dog owners.- This award is a $500.00 cash award.
- The DWAA Distinguished Service Award
- Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, this award honors extraordinary achievement and communications excellence. It recognizes the person who, by word, deed, exemplary conduct, public communication and professional excellence, best promotes the interest of the sport of dogs. The award consists of a plaque and a $1,000 cash grant. Do not apply for this award.
- Angel on a Leash Award
- in honor of its therapy dog program at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, for the best newspaper or magazine article or television news feature about the impact of the use of therapy dogs in health care facilities. The award consists of $250.00 cash grant.
- Dogwise Best Book Award
- Dogwise is offering $500.00 to the author of the best book. The winner will be chosen from the winners of all the book categories.
- DWAA Junior Writer Awaard
- for writers under 18 years of age. This award is to recognize and encourage young writers who exhibit talent, resourcefulness, dedication, and integrity in their writing about dogs and dog-related topics. Award: $250 cash grant, DWAA Maxwell Medallion and lapel pin.
- Eukanuba Canine Health Award
- offered by the Iams Company-For the article or book that best promotes the health and well-being of dogs. The award consists of a $750.00 cash grant.
- Merial Human-Animal Bond Award
- For the work that best highlights the unique relationship between a dog and its owner and best brings to life the concept of the human-animal bond. The ward consists of $500.00 cash grant and $250.00 travel grant if winner attends the awards banquet.
- Morris Animal Foundation Advances in Canine Veterinary Medicine Award
- This award recognizes the newspaper, magazine, or online article, excluding syndicated columns written by veterinarians, that best informs the public about cutting edge advances in veterinary medicine for dogs. Entries will be judged on clarity, accuracy, and topic originality. The award is $500.00 cash grant.
- North Shore Animal League America Award
- For all media which best supports the missions of the League’s program, encouraging spay/neuter initiatives as a way of reducing unwanted births and pet euthanasia rates; focus can be on the community-wide programs or individual responsibility of pet owners. Award: $500.00 cash grant.
- Planet Dog Foundation Sit. Speak. Act. Canine Service Award
- For all media. For the best story promoting and celebrating a program in which dogs serve and support their best friends, by highlighting service dogs, therapy dogs, K-9 search and rescue, or police dogs. Award: $500.00 cash grant.
- PSI First-Canine Award
- Sponsored by Pet Sitters International, this award is presented to the best humorous feature story or article. The winner will receive a certificate and $350 cash grant.
- Pro Plan President's Award
- Pro Plan offers a $750 cash grant. This is the Best in Show chosen from all the winners of the individual categories. Do not apply for this award.
- Wiley-Ellsworth S. Howell Award
- $500.00 award for the best writing on judging, exhibiting, dog-show reporting, or any other aspect of conformation showing. This award is made at the discretion of the publisher.
- The APDT Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.)
- Award for Best Positive Training Book Award amount: $250. The purpose of this award is to highlight the book that exemplifies the APDT Canine Life and Social Skills program the most through the promotion of training based on:
- The use of primarily positive reinforcement.
- Building relationships with our dogs based on trust and communication.
- Emphasizing the mutual fun and joy that can be had by training one’s dog.
- Encouraging the acquisition of “real life” skills to increase public access for dogs.
- The book that receives the award should also be consistent with the APDT’s mission statement and guiding principles:
- Mission: To represent and advance the dog training profession through education and advocacy. Guiding Principles
- We provide educational resources to build dog trainers’ skills and knowledge.
- We promote the use of reward-based training methods, thereby minimizing the use of aversive techniques.
- We educate trainers, allied animal professionals, the media, and the public about the value of training.
- We foster effective communication and cooperation among dog trainers.
- We provide members with resources that empower them to build successful businesses.
- We build alliances with companion animal professions.
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