Nominations open for major award that recognises outstanding young dog owners

The Young Kennel Club (YKC) is welcoming nominations once again for the next Young Person of the Year award, which acknowledges and highlights the previous contribution that YKC members make to the world of dogs.

The YKC is calling on the families and friends of its members to put forward those that they believe are deserving of one of the five categories.

The categories are:

• Personal Achievement Award: Celebrating young people who have overcome personal challenges with their dogs as well as the skills they have developed to achieve success in 2022
• Sporting Talent Award: Celebrating young people who show real passion and dedication for competing or training their dog/s in 2022
• Inspiring Others Award: Celebrating young people and their dogs who, through their positive attitude and inspirational approach, have proved to be a good role model in 2022
• Compassion Award: Celebrating young people who dedicate their time volunteering to help others and gone over and above what would be expected of them in 2022
• Community Award: Celebrating young people who show commitment and passion through social action – fundraising, campaigning, activities at school, college or community, for the welfare of dogs in 2022

Lewis Steven Garstang, from Haverhill, Suffolk, won the award at Discover Dogs in 2021. Following the tragic loss of his dad in 2018, Lewis took on the training and running of his dogs, Rosie and Willow, in agility. Both rescue dogs, the two have very different behavioural challenges and needs, but 13-year-old Lewis persevered with their training and built up a very strong bond with the pair of them. Despite having experienced such a tough time in his life, both dogs continue to bring Lewis a lot of comfort and vice versa.

Vanessa McAlpine, Kennel Club Events Executive said: “The YKC Young Person of the Year award is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and reward dedicated and inspiring young members. Every year we look forward to receiving nominations and finding out more about our members’ work and passions towards their dogs, and this year is no different.”

The closing date for nominations is 16 December, and all shortlisted nominees from each category will be announced in January before being put forward for a public vote for the overall winner, who will be announced at Crufts 2023 in March.

Anyone can nominate a YKC member in one of the Young Kennel Club Young Person of the Year award categories by visiting The Kennel Club website.