Director of Government Relations Sheila Goffe presents the AKC Legislator of the Year award to U.S. Representative Ted Yoho at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships in Orlando.

Washington, DC – The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to present U.S. Representative Ted Yoho of Florida’s 3rd Congressional District with the “AKC Legislator of the Year” award. Representative Yoho has earned this accolade for his strong advocacy of responsible dog ownership and preservation of the rights of dog owners and breeders across the United States.

“I am honored to receive the ‘AKC Legislator of the Year’ award from the American Kennel Club,” Rep. Yoho said. “I have been involved in veterinary medicine for 30 years, and I have always been a staunch advocate for the welfare of animals. Thank you to the AKC not only for the recognition but for all they do on behalf of dog owners and breeders across America.”

With a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and 30 years of veterinary practice behind him, Rep. Yoho’s experience and commitment to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership have made him one of Congress’s leading advocates on canine issues.

Rep. Yoho is a member of the House Agriculture committee and sits on the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Animal Welfare Act. He was instrumental in assisting AKC and its supporters in securing language in the 2014 Farm Bill that required the United States Department of Agriculture to clarify crucial definitions in the Animal Welfare Act Retail Pet Stores and Licensing Exemptions Rule to protect responsible breeders. He has also been instrumental in ensuring that over-reaching legislation, such as the PUPS Act, does not become law.

“The American Kennel Club is honored to present Representative Ted Yoho with the ‘AKC Legislator of the Year’ award,” AKC Director of Government Relations Sheila Goffe said. “Representative Yoho deserves this award for his obvious care and commitment to dogs, dog owners, and breeders nationally. His work is critical to protecting their rights, and we thank and congratulate him for it.”

Rep. Yoho accepted the award from AKC Director of Government Relations Sheila Goffe on Dec. 13, 2014 at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships in Orlando where he and his wife, Carolyn, also attended the dock diving and agility competition finals.

The James S. Holt Memorial Award for Promotion of Responsible Dog Ownership in Legislation, also known as the Legislator of the Year award, is a memorial to the late Dr. James S. Holt, who served for 17 years as the AKC’s federal legislative consultant, participated in the sport of purebred dogs for more than 40 years, and served as an AKC Delegate and Board member.

This award was established to honor legislators who demonstrate a commitment to promoting responsible dog ownership, the well-being of dogs, and protecting the rights of dog owners, exhibitors, and responsible breeders.

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs, and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners, and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year, including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field, and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.

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