The Dog Writers Association of America, founded in 1935, is an exciting and unique organization of professional and amateur writers who cover all dog-related areas through feature articles and books published nationwide. This year at the Awards Banquet, DWAA recognized and rewarded writers whose contributions over the past year had been judged exceptional by their peers. The winners in each of the categories of competition receive a MAXWELL MEDALLION AWARD to honor their achievement. The award is named for the late Maxwell Riddle, author and all-breed judge, who was a founding father of DWAA. The writer who is judged DWAA’s own BEST IN SHOW is the winner of the MAXWELL AWARDS. This is the prestigious PRESIDENTS AWARD, won this year by Amy Ferguson. Pedigree sponsors this coveted award which consists of a plaque and a $750 cash grant. DWAA’s seventieth anniversary is coming up next year, and there will be a gala celebration.
The American Kennel Club offers the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD to honor and reward extraordinary achievement and communications excellence. It recognizes those, who by word, deed, exemplary conduct, public communication and professional excellence promote the best interest of the sport of dogs. The award consists of a plaque and a $750 cash grant. This year’s winner is Pat Santi, whose decades’ long labor of love given to dogs, their people and to DWAA as its Secretary is acknowledged and honored.
In addition to the MAXWELL AWARDS are special awards sponsored by DWAA, Howell Book House, The Iams Company, The ASPCA, The AKC, Merial, WCFO, Off Lead Magazine, Radio Systems/Pet Safe, The Dog Read and HSUS. The Winners are:
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Seymour Weiss won the ELSWORTH HOWELL AWARD for his “”Judging 101″” article appearing in DOG WORLD, Jan. 2003. Howell Book House is the sponsor. |
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Eve Adamson won the EUKANBUBA CANINE HEALTH AWARD for the article that best promotes the health and well-being of dogs. Her book is titled, “”The Simple Guide to a Healthy Dog”” (TFH, 2002). The Iams Company is the sponsor. |
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Jeannette Warner won the DWAA JUNIOR WRITER AWARD offered to writers under 18 years of age by DWAA. The award recognizes and encourages young writers who exhibit talent, resourcefulness, dedication and integrity in their writing about dogs and dog-related topics. The award consists of a $250 cash grant and the Association’s Maxwell Medallion. |
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Jane Musgrave won the HUMANE ISSUES SPECIAL AWARD offered by the ASPCA for her article in DOG FANCY, Feb. 2003 entitled “”Reality check: Young Adult Dogs Flood Shelters.”” The award recognizes the work which best illuminates one of the following aspects of the ASPCA mission: pet overpopulation, humane education, shelter adoptions or the prevention of cruelty, and consists of a plaque and a $500 cash grant. |
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Rue Chagoll won the AKC PUBLICATION EXCELLENCE AWARD for the best article in a national, regional or local club publication. The award consists of a plaque and a $250 cash grant offered by the American Kennel Club. His article in the GOLDEN RETIEVER NEWS, Sept./Oct. 2002, is called, “”Daddy’s Really Not Coming Home Anymore?”” |
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Mike Lingenfelter and David Frei won the Merial-sponsored award, the MERIAL HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND AWARD for the work which best highlights the special bond between people and their treasured pets. The winning work should be an exceptional entry that highlights the unique relationship between a dog and its owner, and best brings to life the concept of the human-animal bond. The coveted award consists of a $550 cash grant plus $250 toward an airline ticket to accept the award. |
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Verne Foster’s “”Freestyle Rhythms: It’s My Dog’s Music,”” appearing in THE COURIER March/April 2003, won the WORLD CANINE FREESTYLE ORGANIZATION SPONSORED AWARD for the best print, radio, television or internet coverage of canine freestyle. The award consists of a plaque and a $100 cash grant. |
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Deborah Wood’s “”From Terrified to Terrific”” appearing in the AKC GAZETTE April 2003, won the OFF LEAD SPONSORED AWARD of $300 and a plaque to the author of the best training article. |
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Melissa Alexander’s book, “”Click for Joy”” (Sunshine Books, 2003) won the RADIO SYSTEMS/PET SAFE AWARD of $500 for the best training publication. |
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Eva M. Bernard’s article “”Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy,”” appearing in RETRIEVERS ONLINE Mar/Apr 2003, won the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION RESEARCH COMMUNICATION AWARD for the work that best informs the public about canine health research. The award of a plaque and $1000 cash is offered by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. |
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Mike Lingenfelter and David Frei won the BEST BOOK AWARD including a plaque, a $300 cash grant, and a month of discussion on the Dog Read List. Their book is entitled, “”The Angel by My Side”” (Hay House, 2003). |
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Jane Musgrave’s article, “”Reality Check: Young Adult Dogs Flood Shelters”” DOG FANCY, Feb. 2003, won the HSUS COMPASSIONATE CARE AWARD celebrating The HSUS’s (The Humane Society of the United States) 50th anniversary (1954-2004), for the best print, audio, or video work focusing on the humane treatment of dogs, particularly those in animal shelter, animal rescue, animal rehabilitation, or individual family setting. She receives the winner’s prize of a $750 cash award and a plaque. |