“We are incredibly proud of the work we do,” says Kate McCroary, AKC Publications Creative Director. “It’s exciting to see that pride reflected in our writers and publications receiving this honor.”

According to the AKC, since its founding in 2003, AKC Publications, which includes AKC Family Dog and the AKC Gazette, and its writers have earned nearly 50 DWAA awards, numerous Folio Awards, and honorable mentions for feature stories. AKC’s Content Department has worked to make AKC.org’s Expert Advice a tried-and-true resource for all things dog, including but not limited to training, canine health & fitness, puppy info, and dog sports.

“We are so proud of the content we produce for AKC.org. It can be tough to navigate what to trust on the Internet these days, so we strive to make AKC.org’s ‘Expert Advice’ a resource that helps every dog owner find accurate and expert-vetted information they can rely on,” said Melissa Olund, AKC’s Senior Director of Digital Marketing. “Plus, we love to showcase stories about the owners, handlers, and breeders who pour their hearts and souls into the sport of dogs.”

This year’s nomination categories and the stories honored include:

Under Training or Sports:

– Hogan’s Run by Lindsey Dobruck, FD

– Belgian Malinois ‘Riley’ Searches Through Ashes to Find Human Remains After Los Angeles Fires by Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz, AKC.org

Single Breed, Show Group, or all breed:

– Birth of the Win Shotby Brian Patrick Duggan, FD

- Giant Schnauzer ‘Monty’ Wins 2025 Best in Show at Westminster by Melanie Haid, AKC.org

Human/Animal Bond:

- How a Poodle Named Kissable Katie Changed a Life by Jen Reeder, FD

Canine or All Animal Publication:

- AKC Family Dog: The Spring Fling Issue by AKC Publications

- AKC Family Dog: The Summer Fun Issue by AKC Publications

Rescue or Adoption:

- The Ace Projectby Penny Leigh, FD

–Touch Tones by Penny Leigh, FD

Recurring Column:

- 4 Saluki Breed Columns by Brian Patrick Duggan, Gz

- Chinooks Celebrating Chinooks: A Legacy of Sled Dog Racing by Kathleen Riley, Gz

Humor:

- Bearded Collies: What are the Chances?by Alice Bixler, Gz

Website:

- AKC.org Expert Advice by Melissa Olund, Melanie Haid, & Theresa Robinson

The Cody Award:

- In a Blurby Penny Leigh, FD

– One Eye on the Prize by Penny Leigh, FD

– Touch Tones by Penny Leigh, FD

Young Authors:

- Dogs by the Dozen: AKC Meet the Breeds Returns to NYC by Theo Bernstein, FD

Junior Writer Award, ages 15-17:

- Dogs by the Dozen: AKC Meet the Breeds Returns to NYC by Theo Bernstein, FD

Pat Hastings Mentorship Memorial Award:

- Taking the Lead by Lindsey Dobruck, FD

- Meet Miniature Pinscher Breeder Linda Grems of FreeSpirit Miniature Pinschers by Melanie Haid, AKC.org

– Mentoring Matters: Be the Reason Another Dog Person Feels Inspired by Bev Thompson, Gz

Rio Award:

- For Jupiter Piquet and ‘Watcher,’ Dog Sports Are a Lifelong Passion by Melanie Haid, AKC.org

USDAA Agility Award:

- Agile in Alaska by Penny Leigh, FD

- One Eye on the Prize by Penny Leigh, FD

- Ron May You Run by Penny Leigh, FD

Walter R. Fletcher Memorial Award:

- Taking the Lead by Lindsey Dobruck, FD

– Kim Berkley: How the Star Obedience Handler Got Her Startby Melanie Haid, AKC.org

Harrison Stephens Inspirational Feature Award:

– Touch Tones by Penny Leigh, FD

– Seeing Eye Dog ‘Hope’ Doubles as a Canine Athlete, Elaine Waldorf Gewirtz, AKC.org