On Friday, September 17, AKC Delegates Gale Golden and Linda Flynn (South Shore Kennel Club Show Chair) presented Rep. Tackey Chan (Quincy), House Chairman of the Joint Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, with the Massachusetts Legislator of the Year of Award.  

He was presented the award in recognition of his work to ensure consumers can acquire a dog from sources not limited to animal shelters and rescues.  After receiving the award, Chairman Chan encouraged show attendees to join with Stacey Ober, AKC Legislative Analyst and Community Outreach Coordinator for New England, and share details with their individual lawmakers about their dogs and the sport. 

Chairman Chan capped off his visit to Friday’s show with his staff, by presenting Best in Show to an Australian Shepard Dog, GCHB COOLMOOR FULL SPEED AHEAD.  The BIS winner promptly sat between Chairman Chan’s legs and smiled up at him with appreciation! 

There were an estimated 1,000 daily dog entries at the annual four-day Cranberry Cluster hosted by South Shore Kennel Club and Cape Cod Kennel Club. 

In 2019, AKC licensed and sanctioned 466 events in Massachusetts in which more than 69,000 dogs participated.  Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org for economic impact information for your state, as well as other resources you can share with lawmakers.