The American Kennel Club (AKC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2005 Awards for Canine Excellence. Established in 2000, ACE has become a valuable public-outreach program for the AKC as well as a source of pride among the fancy and the dog community.
A photograph and story about the recipents in each of the five categories; Exemplary Companion, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Service, and Therapy is available below. The five honorees will receive their engraved silver collar medallions and $1,000 cash awards at a presentation ceremony at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Tampa, Florida, on January 14 & 15. A local presentation will also be held for each recipent at an AKC dog show near their hometown. This information will be posted on our Web site when it becomes available.
Presenting the 2005 Honorees for Awards for Canine Excellence
Service Dog: FaithRottweiler
Owner: Leana Beasley of Richland, WA
Faith, a highly skilled certified Service dog, was trained by the Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound in seizure, respiratory, and cardiac alert and response, mobility assistance, emergency water rescue, and cart pulling. Committed to her owner, Leana Beasley, Faith understands over 150 commands that aid Leana in every aspect of her life.
On September 7, 2004, Faith became agitated and desperately tried to alert her owner. Realizing that something was wrong, Leana returned to her wheelchair, unaware that the medication she was prescribed was causing a toxic reaction. Without warning, Leana fell to the floor, and began experiencing grand mal seizures.
Incredibly, when commands could not be given, Faith problem-solved on her own and performed a series of tasks that, according to doctors, saved Leana's life. Taking the phone off its base, Faith pushed the special 9-1-1 speed-dial button and barked into the phone. Returning to her owner, Faith used her seizure response training to roll Leana into a recovery position. Able to recognize police uniforms, Faith unlocked the door when help arrived, and lead the police to her owner.
Faith's amazing story soon spread throughout the media. Recognizing Faith's achievement, the Benton County Emergency Services honored Faith with a Certificate of Recognition for her life-saving actions. When the American Red Cross presented Faith with its Real Hero Award in the 9-1-1 Rescue category earlier this year, Faith became its first non-human recipient.
Faith and Leana are volunteer advocates for the Epilepsy Foundation. As members of the Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound, the team promotes public education about Service Dogs and the legal rights of the disabled.
ACE Local Presentation
Faith will be honored at the Whidbey Island Kennel Club show on Saturday, November 19th, in Monroe, WA.
Search and Rescue Dog: GibsonBloodhound
Owner: Karen Leshkivich, D.V.M.,of Cazenovia, NY
Gibson was only 7-weeks-old when his owner, Dr. Karen Leshkivich began training him for Search and Rescue. The team's hard work and dedication resulted in membership with Wilderness Search and Rescue Team of Central New York when Gibson was three. His stubborn determination and natural Bloodhound traits have been important ingredients in Gibson's successful career. In addition to his work with Wilderness Search and Rescue, Gibson has assisted the New York State Police and other public service organizations in searches for lost children, Alzheimer's patients, hikers, hunters, as well as thieves.
One the team's most remarkable searches occurred on a cold, rainy night in Rome, New York. Gibson was called out to assist The New York State Police in a search for young man who the previous day left his group home for work, but never arrived at his job. Despite heavy rains, Gibson was able to follow the scent and successfully locate the young man.
When Gibson was a year old, he suffered an elbow injury that required surgery. The injury plagued Gibson as he grew older. Arthritis developed and aggressive medical treatment only provided temporary relief for this tireless worker. As his condition worsened, severe swelling meant the possibility of the loss of Gibson's leg. Dr. Leshkivich researched elbow replacement surgery, and despite the great incidence of failure in large dogs, Gibson flew 2,000 miles to Iowa State Veterinary School for the surgery. The very next day, Gibson was up and walking. Thanks to his mechanical elbow and his overwhelming desire to return to work, Gibson is once again back on the trail.
ACE Local Presentation
Gibson was honored at the Chenango Valley Kennel Club show on Saturday, November 19th in Syracuse, New York .
Companion Dog: RaiahCanaan Dog
Owners: Christina and Ethan Miller of Conyers, GA
Raiah is not only a dedicated friend and medical alert dog to 9-year-old Ethan Miller, but she is also a fierce competitor in the show ring. Raiah has taken Winners Bitch/Best of Winners at the Canaan Dog Club of America (CDCA) Specialties in 1998 and Best Brood Bitch in the 2003 and 2004 National Specialty. In addition, Raiah has earned her CD, RN, CGC, CDCA Herding title and CDCA Register of Merit.
Ethan suffers from a seizure disorder, while Cerebral Palsy has limited the use of his left arm and hand. Just before Ethan experienced his first seizure, Raiah became agitated and alerted Ethan's mother, Christina. Since then, Raiah hasn't failed to predict a seizure. Ethan now knows that when Raiah alerts him, he should lie flat on the floor or bed. Raiah stays beside her friend, gently placing her head on his chest and as the seizure subsides she wags her tail and nuzzles Ethan's face.
Raiah's vigilance has given Ethan the security that has allowed him to experience competition in Conformation to the Group level. They have participated in Junior Showmanship together since Ethan was 5 years old. Raiah received an Award of Excellence at the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational, qualifying her for competition at Crufts. In 2004, they traveled to Birmingham, England for Crufts and along with Christina and her mother, toured England. Without Raiah's devoted attention, this trip would not have been possible.
Raiah's steady demeanor, intuition and loyalty to Ethan, has truly made her an exceptional and unique companion.
ACE Local Presentation
Raiah was honored at the Lawrenceville Kennel Club show on Saturday, August 27, 2005.
Therapy Dog: NoodleStandard Poodle
Owner: Stacia Bjarnason, Ph.D., of Durham, CT
Noodle is a Therapy dog for the Northwest Village School, a special education school of approximately 200 students. While some of the children have cognitive and academic problems, most of them deal with social-emotional or behavioral challenges that impede their ability to learn. Noodle's owner, Dr. Stacia Bjarnason, who is a psychologist at the school, realized that the students had a need for animal therapy and began to train and certify Noodle with Therapy Dogs International and Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Noodle now works with the school's students in both group settings and on an individual basis. The students and staff have fallen in love with Noodle and together they submitted multiple nominations for the ACE awards. Numerous written testimonials were received, many of them from the children in their own words. Others just drew pictures of their beloved dog.
Noodle is the catalyst for the children to open up about their own lives and issues. They sense that she is non-judgmental and her experiences, real or imagined, can be just the key the school's psychologists need to get the children to open up. It is much less threatening for them to talk about how Noodle feels about issues like leaving her mother or what emotions she experiences when doing something wrong.
Noodle and Dr. Bjarnason also do volunteer work outside of the Northwest Village School. Whether Noodle is sitting quietly in a library listening as children improve their reading skills, or giving demonstrations at local elementary schools or on her therapy visits at a safe home, Noodle always provides encouragement to all the children in her life.
ACE Local Presentation
Noodle was honored at the Farmington Valley Kennel Club show on Saturday, November 5, 2005.
Read the article here.
Law Enforcement Dog: RenoGerman Shepherd Dog
Owner: Des Moines Police Department of Des Moines, Iowa
Handler: Officer Tim Nading
Reno was born in the Slovak Republic and selected from hundreds of dogs to be flown to the United States to begin training as a Law Enforcement K-9. Reno was matched with Officer Tim Nading of the Des Moines Police Department, and the pair began long days of training together. A very special bond was forged between the two that would become an integral ingredient for their success as a team.
On October 10, 2004, their mutual loyalty and trust was put to the test. Responding to a call, they began to search for a suspect who had fled into a wooded area. Using his flashlight, Officer Nading saw the suspect lying less than 10 feet away, with a 45 caliber handgun pointed directly at him. The suspect began firing as Reno charged, striking him multiple times. Even after being shot through the back, Reno charged a second time. Critically wounded, he crawled to Officer Nading as the suspect was subdued.
Reno was rushed to Iowa State Veterinarian Hospital. He sustained six gunshot wounds, his knee was shattered and his right leg mangled. During his recovery he remained trusting and calm as Officer Nading and his wife, Andrea, changed his bandages and nursed him back to health. Against all odds, Reno was able to learn how to walk again, and on February 6, 2005, returned to full duty.
Since his accident, Reno is in great demand for public presentations. He is so affable as a canine ambassador, that it is hard to believe that this is the same dog who works with such determination to protect the public and the officers of the Des Moines Police Department.
ACE Local Presentation
Reno was honored at the Des Moines Kennel Club show on Saturday, September 10, 2005. Read article.
