Liz Palika Wins AKC Distingusihed Service Award

Liz Palika, an award winning author and noted dog trainer from Oceanside, CA, was awarded the night’s top prize at the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) banquet Feb 13, 2005 in New York City. The banquet, always held the evening prior to the opening of the famous Westminster Dog Show, recognizes those who write about dogs, photograph or illustrate them, or publish works about our canine companions.

Ms. Palika was awarded the AKC (American Kennel Club) Distinguished Service Award for her work with dogs. The award states that it is awarded “for extraordinary achievement and communications excellence, recognizing the person who by word, deed, exemplary conduct, public communication and professional excellence, promotes the best interest of the sport of dogs.”

The author of more than fifty books, several have been the recipients of other awards. Save That Dog! a book about the purebred rescue dog movement, won both a Maxwell Award from DWAA and the APSCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award. Her book on Australian Shepherds, Australian Shepherd: Champion of Versatility won a Maxwell and an honorable mention in the San Diego Book Writers Contest. “The Consumer’s Guide to Cat Food” won a Cat Writers of America Special Award on Nutrition. Palika’s magazine work has also been recognized, with feature articles and columns both receiving accolades. She has been published in Dog World, Dog Fancy, AKC Gazette, Cats, Cat Fancy, The Saturday Evening Post, and Newsweek as well as numerous other magazines.

Palika is the co-owner of Kindred Spirits Dog Training in Vista, CA. She is also the founder of the Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy, a national nonprofit organization, home-based in northern San Diego County, which evaluates and certifies dogs for therapy dog work.