Dogs in Oregon

or-hero-dog Peter:  Oregon Humane Society Award Winner

Peter, a dachshund, received  the Oregon Humane Society Diamond Collar Award in 2006  for rousing his hearing-impaired owner from sleep and alerting her to a fire that was quickly engulfing the house.

Other hero Oregon dogs:

 

  • On October 22, 2007, Dusty, an Airedale Terrier, found a woman  who had driven her car off the cliff above Nesika Beach.
  • On February 18, 2007, Velvet, a black Labrador mixed breed dog helped save three climbers stranded on Mount Hood.

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    American Kennel Club Awards for Canine Excellence 2008 Recipie

    or-zadok_therapy

    Zadok, an Akita owned by Julie Burk of Damascus, Oregon

    Zadok, a 6-year-old Akita, has brought comfort to those in need, not just while visiting hospitals, children’s healthcare facilities, and prison inmates, but also in high-profile crisis situations. Julie Burk acquired Zadok at 8 weeks old and used the confidence building socialization acquired through AKC Obedience and Agility training to prepare him for therapy work. Zadok is certified with Delta Society, Dove Lewis, PAWS, and the National Animal Assisted Crisis Response.

    The pair were called upon to visit Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University to console students after their tragic school shootings. Gale Lothrop, Vice President of the National Animal Assisted Crisis Response, explained in her ACE nomination for Zadok, that students responded to dogs more often than to the hundreds of volunteer counselors. Zadok provided the unconditional love and safety that allowed the traumatized students to express their pain.

    Recently, Zadok’s special healing powers were called upon once again, this time at a summer camp for children whose parents were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to therapy work, Zadok is active in his role as a breed ambassador for the Akita Club of America. Zadok and Julie are also tireless fundraisers for Akita rescue. Whether helping prospective owners to appreciate this wonderful breed, or by bringing comfort to those in need, Zadok’s calm demeanor and obedient nature always guarantee success.

    National Canine Research Council