The Westminster Kennel Club 2025 | Page 43

BREED RESCUE AWARDS

Through Westminster ’ s Breed Rescue Awards , the Club annually donates $ 5,000 each to three AKC-recognized national breed clubs to help offset rescue-related expenses such as transportation , veterinary care , grooming , boarding , feeding , and training . In addition , these funds will assist the clubs in educating new owners about the joy of owning these dogs , while finding them suitable new homes . For 2025 , these clubs include : the Bull Terrier Club of America , the Ibizan Hound Club of the United States , and the Tibetan Terrier Club of America .

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CANINE COMPANIONSHIP

Canine companionship is at the heart of the special bond between dogs and people . This bond can be felt in the many ways dogs and people interact with each other , as pets and K-9 officers , or working to help and heal humans . Since the 1940s , Westminster has supported working dogs , military dogs , therapy dogs , and service dogs . The Westminster Kennel Club and Cosequin ® joint health supplements continued their partnership as sponsors of a puppy in training with the Valor Service Dogs program . A Labrador Retriever puppy named Tommy joined the program in 2023 to undergo 18-24 months of training . In late 2024 , Tommy was placed as a military family support dog to a servicemember who suffers from PTSD and anxiety . Tommy will wake him from night terrors , interrupt negative thoughts , and be a steady companion in his darkest moments , greatly improving the quality of life for the family of which he is now a vital part .

VALOR SERVICE DOG

TOMMY VALOR

A black Labrador Retriever puppy named Tommy joined the program this year to undergo 18-24 months of training before being placed as a service dog with a military veteran or first responder in need . Following a Valor Service Dog tradition , this retriever was named after a notable U . S . Coast Guard rescue diver , Tommy Faulkenberry , who recently lost his life on a dive .

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