NMSU’s Wave the Wonder Dog honored with award

The American Kennel Club Humane Fund recently announced the winners of the 24th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence. Among the five loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and communities is New Mexico State University’s beloved Wave the Wonder Dog, owned and trained by Steve Stochaj, head of the university’s computer and electrical engineering department.

Wave took the top honor in the “Exemplary Canine” category, the university stated in a news release. Wave is tasked with retrieving the kicking tee during NMSU football games. He has grown into a campus and community celebrity, even claiming thousands of followers on social media.

Stochaj also brings Wave to spring and summer practices so he can meet the players and get accustomed to them. Wave not keeps busy on campus, but has AKC titles in agility, rally, obedience, tracking, trick dog, dock diving and canine good-citizenship. He is also a member of the Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue Organization.

The five winners were carefully chosen from a pool of more than 600 nominations. An award is presented in each of the following five categories: exemplary companion, search and rescue, service dog, therapy dog, and uniformed service K-9.

Click here to see Wave the Wonder Dog in Action.