Goldman wins AKC leadership award

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Dr. Goldman
Dr. Arnold L. Goldman

The American Kennel Club announced this past December that Dr. Arnold L. Goldman and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners, of which Dr. Goldman is a trustee, had won the 2015 Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation.

Dr. Goldman and the dog club federation were chosen for their innovative leadership in educating Connecticut residents about responsible dog ownership, pet health, animal welfare, public health issues, crisis planning, and emergency response for animals, the AKC said in a statement.

Named for Walter Bebout, the late director of the AKC Government Relations Department, the award recognizes federations and dog owner/breeder organizations that have actively educated legislators about responsible dog ownership issues and have worked to preserve the rights of responsible owners and breeders.

Dr. Goldman has been a leader in animal welfare policy and brought attention to illegal and inhumane pet trafficking issues in Connecticut and nationally, the AKC said. He has testified numerous times on canine legislative issues in both Connecticut and New York and has developed compromise legislation addressing retail pet sales and consumer protection that serves as a model for communities nationwide.

He also created or collaborated with colleagues to create the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Foundation, Connecticut State Animal Response Team, the domestic violence program Companions-in-Crisis, and HAVEN, a substance abuse program for veterinarians.

Additionally, Dr. Goldman is Connecticut’s representative to the AVMA House of Delegates as well as a member of the Association’s State Advocacy and Governance Performance Review committees.

“We are thrilled to honor Dr. Goldman and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners for their leadership in responsible dog ownership and public policy. Their work is a model and an inspiration for dog lovers and communities throughout the country,” said Sheila Goffe, AKC director of government relations.