Nov. 2, 2009
West Virginia Dog Named ASPCA’s Dog of the Year
Veteran’s Service Dog to be Honored at the 2009 ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon; Piano Playing Feline Honored Too
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
New York, NY (HNN) — The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has selected Archie, a service dog for an injured veteran in Clarksburg, WV, as this year’s winner of the ASPCA Dog of the Year Award. Archie is one of ten extraordinary people and animals that will be honored for their heroic deeds at this year’s Humane Awards Luncheon on October 29, 2009, in New York City.
“The Humane Awards is an opportunity for the ASPCA to recognize the unique and often heroic contributions that are made on behalf of animals each and every day,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Service dogs like Archie play a crucial role in the emotional stability and physical well-being of their handlers, resulting in lifelong companionship.”
A true four-legged hero, Archie is an eight-year-old black Labrador retriever, who serves as an assistance dog and social lifeline for Sergeant Clay Rankin. Sgt. Rankin suffered spinal injuries while serving in Iraq, and Archie is his primary caregiver and social safety net. Archie’s loyalty and perseverance in helping Sgt. Rankin accomplish his daily tasks has allowed the veteran to regain his confidence and independence, move forward with his life and continue serving the country he loves.
Archie was trained by Patriot Paws, a Rockwall, Texas-based organization that works with service dogs and matches them with disabled veterans. The first canine graduate of the Army’s Wounded Warriors Program, which assists and advocates for seriously wounded, ill and injured soldiers, veterans and their families, Archie is trained to perform various services such as getting help in emergencies, retrieving items, and preparing food with the goal of increasing self-sufficiency for Sgt. Rankin.
ASPCA Cat of the Year
When Betsy Alexander and Burnell Yow visited an animal shelter in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, they never imagined they would adopt a feline prodigy. Nora is a five-year-old gray tabby, whose special piano-playing skills quickly became a YouTube sensation, drawing more than 15 million page views and inspiring a Lithuanian composer to arrange a symphony in her honor. Nora is a talented example of how shelter pets—far from being castoffs—often make the best animal companions.
To view Nora's performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeoT66v4EHg&feature=player_embedded
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West Virginia Dog Named ASPCA’s Dog of the Year
Veteran’s Service Dog to be Honored at the 2009 ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon; Piano Playing Feline Honored Too
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
New York, NY (HNN) — The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has selected Archie, a service dog for an injured veteran in Clarksburg, WV, as this year’s winner of the ASPCA Dog of the Year Award. Archie is one of ten extraordinary people and animals that will be honored for their heroic deeds at this year’s Humane Awards Luncheon on October 29, 2009, in New York City.
“The Humane Awards is an opportunity for the ASPCA to recognize the unique and often heroic contributions that are made on behalf of animals each and every day,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Service dogs like Archie play a crucial role in the emotional stability and physical well-being of their handlers, resulting in lifelong companionship.”
A true four-legged hero, Archie is an eight-year-old black Labrador retriever, who serves as an assistance dog and social lifeline for Sergeant Clay Rankin. Sgt. Rankin suffered spinal injuries while serving in Iraq, and Archie is his primary caregiver and social safety net. Archie’s loyalty and perseverance in helping Sgt. Rankin accomplish his daily tasks has allowed the veteran to regain his confidence and independence, move forward with his life and continue serving the country he loves.
Archie was trained by Patriot Paws, a Rockwall, Texas-based organization that works with service dogs and matches them with disabled veterans. The first canine graduate of the Army’s Wounded Warriors Program, which assists and advocates for seriously wounded, ill and injured soldiers, veterans and their families, Archie is trained to perform various services such as getting help in emergencies, retrieving items, and preparing food with the goal of increasing self-sufficiency for Sgt. Rankin.
ASPCA Cat of the Year
When Betsy Alexander and Burnell Yow visited an animal shelter in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, they never imagined they would adopt a feline prodigy. Nora is a five-year-old gray tabby, whose special piano-playing skills quickly became a YouTube sensation, drawing more than 15 million page views and inspiring a Lithuanian composer to arrange a symphony in her honor. Nora is a talented example of how shelter pets—far from being castoffs—often make the best animal companions.
To view Nora's performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeoT66v4EHg&feature=player_embedded
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
