Since dissolving American Poodles At Work, Inc as a non-profit organization and working to continue the breeding program myself personally, I’ve wanted to step away from the use of the original logo to help distinguish the shift. The new logo is now created and will soon be instated across our platforms!
The original APAW logo of the vested Poodle inside a paw print was designed for APAW back when we were a non-profit service dog training organization. Besides being a nice overall logo, our biggest need was a design suitable as patches for our service dog capes. I love that logo and it means so much to me!
That said, APAW as an organization isn’t around anymore. I have continued to be the person behind the scenes doing all the dog care and training, and I took over legal responsibility of the remaining dogs when the organization dissolved. I will forever be thankful to my friend Tara Lamper for the original APAW logo.
As I’ve personally continued the breeding program that I had established through APAW, I’ve felt awkward about using the logo even though in many ways I was APAW/APAW was me. I debated coming up with a new kennel name entirely, but with generations of puppies I had personally whelped, raised, trained, titled, and bred under the APAW acronym I eventually settled on keeping ‘APAW’ as my kennel name – just as any breeder can choose any kennel name if no one in their breed contests their use.
I have been unsure of how I wanted the new logo to look, but knew I wanted it to be simple yet represent elegance and quality, have a visual of a Poodle exhibiting an aspect of movement/ability, and portray a natural tail. I considered having some aspect be suggestive of the original logo to help viewers make the connection, but ultimately that didn’t flow as the design progressed. I am absolutely thrilled with how it came out! I particularly love how the style of the A’s become the rest of the Poodle’s legs, showing that the dog is leaping joyfully.
Huge thank you to my friend Mary Driscoll (owner of APAW boys Marty and Quill) for coming up with this fantastic design!
Mary is just getting back into graphic design, this time with a focus on dog stuff – litter announcements, stud ads, show brags, kennel logos, etc. She’s putting together a portfolio and open to taking projects now. You can contact her through her page Mary’s K9 Designs (the page is brand new and just getting fleshed-out, but don’t let that stop you from reaching out).
APAW - Poodle Pups for Working Roles 
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