Dear AKC Judge,
This communication is to inform you of action taken by the AKC Board of Directors at its April 2024 meeting.
As an additional step in creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors approved the following educational requirements policy and recommendations. Effective immediately:
* AKC Board of Directors, Inspectors, Field Staff across all sports, AKC Registered Handlers, and additional AKC Staff that regularly attend events, will be required to successfully complete the Stewards of Children® training from the non-profit organization Darkness to Light once every three years.
* All current and future Junior Showmanship judges will be required to successfully complete the Stewards of Children® training. The initial course will be offered by AKC on a complimentary basis and must be refreshed every three (3) years. All current Junior Showmanship judges must fulfill this requirement in 2024.
* All current and future Club Junior Coordinators will be required to successfully complete the Stewards of Children® training. The initial course will be offered by AKC on a complimentary basis and must be refreshed every three (3) years.
* Junior participants and their parents will be recommended to take the following complimentary courses as applicable from SafeSport:
* SafeSport® for Youth Athletes (ages 13-17)
* SafeSport® for Kids (5-12)
* SafeSport® Parent’s Guide to Misconduct in Sports Core.
* All Superintendents, AKC approved Show Secretaries, and AKC approved Agility Trial Secretaries will be strongly advised to take the Stewards of Children® course.
* All current and future Judges across all sports are required to complete the Stewards of Children® training. The initial training will be provided on a complimentary basis by AKC. This requirement will be phased in.
Additional details will be communicated by the AKC to those impacted by this policy concerning fulfillment of this requirement.
Questions concerning this notice should be directed to the department which manages the sport one is approved to judge: tracking@akc.org.
Thank you,
The Companion Events Department Team
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