The ARC Board is thrilled to announce that Andel’s Wynd Beneath Eagle Wings BN RN CS CGC TDI THD, owned by ARC member Renice Zimmerman, is the recipient of the 2015 AKC ACE Award for Therapy.

New York, NY – The AKC® Humane Fund has announced the winners of the 16th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). These awards commemorate five loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly impacted the lives of their owners and people in their communities.

One award is presented in each of the following five categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue and Exemplary Companion dog. This year’s winners include a Military Working Dog that protects Presidents, a Great Dane that helps his young owner walk, a therapy dog that comforts military members and their loved ones, a human remains detection dog that brings closure to families and a show dog that serves as an ambassador for purebred dogs.

“Whether they serve as uniformed service, search and rescue, therapy, service, or exemplary companion dogs, each ACE nomination we receive is a testimony to the loyalty, devotion and strength dogs give to us,” said AKC Spokesperson Gina DiNardo. “Each dog’s devotion to their work and the impact they make in their community is an inspiration to dog lovers everywhere.”

All of the ACE recipients will receive $1,000 to be awarded to a pet-related charity of their choice, a one year pet insurance policy from Pet Partners, Inc. and an engraved sterling silver medallion to be presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Florida on Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13, 2015.

Therapy Dog: “Wynd,” a Rottweiler owned by Renice Zimmerman of Yorktown, Virginia

For her owner Renice, “Wynd” is an once-in-a-lifetime therapy dog. Wynd has served on the therapy dog team for military surviving family members at The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) National Seminar in DC for the past three Memorial Days and has volunteered at the Survivor Outreach Service booth at military events many times. Wynd is also a regular at the Hampton Veterans Hospital Domiciliary program, interacting and working closely with veterans with PTSD and substance abuse, and visits at the assisted living center at the VA hospital as well. During the school year, Wynd visits Suffolk Humane Society’s BARKS reading program, encouraging a love of reading and helping many kids overcome their fear of dogs.

Click here to learn more about the ACE Awards and this year’s other winners: http://www.akchumanefund.org/ace-awards/