Dog owned by Massachusetts family wins AKC Humane Fund award

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) — A dog owned by a Massachusetts family has been named one of five recipients of this year’s AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence.

The winners of the awards for hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and communities were chosen from a pool of nearly 1,000 nominations, the organization said in a statement Friday.

Teddy, an 8-year-old Bernese mountain dog owned by George, Pamela and Caleigh Brown, of Attleboro, won in the therapy dog category. Teddy has provided support for people in a wide range of situations, including going into a prison following the death of a corrections officer and comforting EMS personnel after the death of a coworker.

Most recently, Teddy and George deployed to support the U.S. Capitol Police.

Teddy also works as a reading companion dog for educationally challenged children, visits classrooms to support students and teachers, and attends adult day programs for developmentally disabled adults.