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We received this press release a little while back and thought it interesting information to pass on to you. If you're a subscriber, log in and find the thread of this name on the BBS and tell us what you think about it.

Congress May Axe Subsidies for Activist Groups

From the Boone and Crockett Club

MISSOULA, Mont. (May 25, 2011) - Legislation to be introduced today in Congress could axe what has amounted to federal subsidies for environmental extremist and animal rights groups making big business out of suing the U.S. government.

The legislation, a House Resolution and companion version in the Senate titled Government Litigation Savings Act, would amend the existing Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Though well intended, abuses of EAJA have escalated into a serious conservation issue with long-term consequences. Costs of defending unnecessary lawsuits against federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are an increasing drain on conservation funding and agency personnel today.

The Government Litigation Savings Act was prompted by a coalition (member list below) of wildlife, agriculture, energy, mining and other resource-based groups led by Boone and Crockett Club.

Club President Ben Wallace said, "We take very seriously the fact that taxpayer money and sportsmen-generated funding intended to support conservation are being wasted. We thank Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) for introducing a bill that offers hope for reforming EAJA back to its original purpose - and relief for the most successful wildlife conservation system in the world."

Read the rest of this press release on our website.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 14, 2011

Contact: AKC Communications

Phone: 212-696-8228

Email: communications@akc.org

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

-- AKC Introduces New Therapy Dog Title -

New York, NY - I am pleased to announce an exciting new title open to all AKC dogs. The AKC Therapy Dog title, or "THD," will launch June 27th as an official AKC suffix title and will reward dogs and their owners that have provided

ongoing community service to help improve the well being of others.

Currently, it is estimated there are 50,000 certified and active therapy dogs in the United States. Volunteerism has exploded over the past decade, especially those with dog and owner teams working in schools, hospitals, nursing homes,

and at natural disasters.

As you know, the AKC annually recognizes an outstanding Therapy Dog as part of the annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). We receive so many great nominations that we know there are many more dogs out there that deserve recognition. We have also received many requests from the fancy to award titles to therapy dogs as a way to recognize the "great work their dogs do." Additionally, earning a THD title builds on the skills taught in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen programs, which create a sound and friendly temperament needed by a successful therapy dog.

The AKC will not certify therapy dogs. Instead, we're working with therapy dog certification organizations to recognize the work done by therapy teams. The certification organizations are the experts in this area and their efforts should be acknowledged and appreciated.

The title will be open to all AKC dogs that have completed a series of criteria. To qualify, dogs must be certified by a participating therapy dog certification organization and have performed a minimum of 50 community service visits.

To obtain a title an owner must complete an application along with evidence of documented visits. Application forms are available on the website at www.akc.org/akctherapydog. The program will accept documentation going back to January 1, 2000.

If your dog qualifies we encourage you to apply for the title. For more information visit www.akc.org/akctherapydog or email akctherapydog@akc.org.

Sincerely,

Ron Menaker

Chairman

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