Raleigh, NC — AKC Reunite, the largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service provider in the United States, is pleased to announce that it has named Chris Sweetwood as an Ambassador for their Adopt a K-9 Cop program.
Established in 2013, the Adopt a K-9 Cop program helps local police departments obtain much needed K-9 officers with the help of local AKC dog clubs. AKC Reunite matches the funds raised up to $5000. The funds are given to the police department who then purchases, trains, handles and cares for the dog. The cost of purchasing a single K-9 officer can be high, averaging around $10,000. Police K-9’s are essential members of law enforcement and perform vital tasks that humans cannot.
“Chris has been integral in the success of the Adopt a K-9 program,” said Tom Sharp, President and CEO of AKC Reunite. “His energy and passion for making sure police departments have the means to obtain a K-9 officer and enhance the safety of the communities they serve is admirable. We are proud to have him as an Ambassador to help other clubs make an impact on their community.”
Chris Sweetwood’s role will be to liaise with the clubs seeking to help a police department and provide guidance about the process and successful fundraising techniques to achieve this goal. Sweetwood is the delegate for the Trap Falls Kennel Club located in Stratford, CT, and serves as the Vice Chair of the AKC Delegate Field Trial/Hunting Test Advisory Committee. As an avid hunter, AKC pointing breed hunting test judge and CGC Evaluator he participates in AKC Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Hunting Tests (Pointing and Retriever) and Field Trials. Chris is a former board member of the Spinone Club of America, and newsletter editor and Treasurer for the Southern New England Pointing Dog Club. Chris received the AKC Bailey Award for his work with Newtown Police Department in 2013 and the AKC Visionary Award in 2016.
“Helping police departments in Connecticut purchase working canines through the generosity of AKC clubs and AKC Reunite has been very rewarding” said Sweetwood. “I look forward to working with clubs in other areas to partner with their local police departments to enjoy the same success we have had for such an important purpose. These dogs and their handlers are truly inspiring.”
AKC clubs interested in more information can contact Mr. Sweetwood through the AKC Delegate directory, or find more information at www.akcreunite.org/givingback.
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AKC Reunite
The way home for lost pets.
AKC Reunite, an affiliate of the American Kennel Club®, is the largest non-profit pet identification and recovery service provider in the United States. Since 1995 AKC Reunite has helped pet owners reunite with their lost animals via identification and 24/7 pet recovery specialists, enrolling over 6 million companion animals and recovering more than 475,000 lost pets. AKC Reunite microchips are a popular choice of pet professionals throughout the country for permanent pet identification.
The AKC Reunite Canine Support and Relief Fund has donated more than $7 million since 2001 for disaster preparedness and relief causes that impact our nation's pets. AKC Reunite also provides free recovery service enrollment for all active service, military, and law enforcement K-9 dogs. For more information visit www.akcreunite.org or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/akcreunite).
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