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What defines a hero?
There are many ways people become heroes but there are often small furry creatures that also have become heroes in their family’s eyes or through some outstanding feat such as the Search and Rescue Disaster Dogs. No matter how small a deed, these heroes have touched lives in ways that will never be forgotten by those that were affected by them. An animal hero can bring happiness into a life of a sick child, can provide companionship for the elderly or they can do something outstanding like wake a family during a fire, warn of a tornado, or become part of a team of Disaster Search and Rescue dogs. An animal hero is also a service animal for the blind or disabled or monkeys that become the hands for a paraplegic. They all affect people in good ways and become heroes for those they are companions too.
Search and Rescue Dogs: Heroes of 911
The 5th Anniversary of 911 has passed but there is still time to reflect on some of the real heroes of that disaster: the Search and Rescue Dogs. Search and Rescue dogs are used world wide in times of disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters as well as those caused by humans. Search Dogs are trained to find missing people by following scent which is carried on the air. This is a very efficient method of searching large areas quickly and does not require items of clothing or effects of the missing person. Dog teams can be quickly deployed by helicopter to remote areas where they can quickly begin to start searching, whilst other search resources are being marshaled. Dogs work equally well in the dark and use their senses of smell and hearing to their fullest under these conditions. It is calculated that a dog is equivalent to about 20 searchers in good conditions and many more in poor conditions. In ideal conditions a dog can pick up a human scent from about 500 meters.
Search Dogs are employed in a wide range of incidents from lost walkers and climbers to missing children and possible victims of crime. When operating under the control of a Mountain Rescue search co-coordinator the handler and dog will follow instructions and integrate their abilities with that of other searchers. In more and more incidents the handlers and dogs are responding to situations which do not involve other Mountain Rescue elements. In particular when searching with police officers for possible crime victims, in these circumstances the dog handler will rely strongly on his own skills and resources to fulfill the demands of the work. The dogs do go through an extensive training program. 911 brought to light for many the good work these dogs and their dedicated handlers do to help people in times of disaster. A new book celebrates the four-legged heroes of that day. Dog Heroes of September 11th, by Nona Kilgore Bauer, tells the stories of 78 dogs that worked for days, often with little rest, at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The book also explains how dogs are trained for this special assignment. It is a book that should be appreciated no matter how young or old you are. It honors these wonderful canines and the hours they spent in the search and rescue of 911. The book is beautifully done and honors each and every one of these heroes with a story about each and also beautiful photographs of the dogs and their handlers. Here are just a few of the dogs featured in this book:
ANNA
Anna and her handler, Sarah Atlas, arrived at the World Trade Center on the afternoon of Sept. 11. Anna, a German shepherd, was trained to find people trapped alive. When Anna first arrived at the site, she seemed desperate to find someone alive, Sarah remembers. But as the days wore on, the dog seemed to pick up on the sad mood around her. I believe because I was tired and drained, she picked up on my emotions, Sarah said.
Because Anna was also trained as a therapy dog — helping people in hospitals and nursing homes feel better — the pats and hugs she got from firefighters and rescue workers kept her spirits up.
Sadly, Anna died in 2002. In recognition of her work, a flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 1 that year. A certificate in her honor noted the bravery and courage (she) displayed while serving as a rescue dog at the World Trade Center.
RILEY
Riley, a golden retriever, is one of the most famous dogs of Sept. 11 because of a photo taken of him at the World Trade Center site a few days after the attacks. In the photo, Riley is in a basket being sent over a 60-foot-deep canyon to search the rubble of the North Tower. Normally when we send a dog, the handler goes with him, said Riley's trainer, Chris Selfridge. This time we decided it was more practical to just send the dog. Like Anna, Riley helped other rescuers just by being a lovable dog. You could see the people change from being very down to wearing little smiles ... even for just 10 seconds, Selfridge said.
STRYKER
Stryker is a German shepherd who works with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police and helped at the Pentagon for 11 days following the attacks. Alice Hanan, Stryker's handler, said he seemed to understand the importance of the job because he lost his normal playful attitude. Stryker's hard work didn't begin or end at the Pentagon. He has been named the park police force's K-9 Officer of the Year five times.
Another hero is a dog named Harry who was part of the Search Dog Foundation rescue dog group. Harry's life began with the Guide Dogs of America. Although initially bred to work with the blind, it soon became apparent that Harry was much too energetic for this type of work. His strong play/prey drive made him a perfect candidate for search and rescue, and SDF was alerted. Harry was the youngest dog to ever go through the rigorous program and he rose to the occasion with gusto! He matured rapidly, became strong and agile, while keeping a very gentle nature. After being partnered with Russell the team attained FEMA Advanced Certification-one of only 73 teams in the country with that rank. During their time together, the pair shared truly life-altering experiences. In addition to their search work at the mudslides in La Conchita, Russell and Harry were deployed to the Waterman Canyon mudslide in San Bernardino County and the City of Commerce Train Derailment in 2003. Harry died quietly in his sleep in January of 2005. According to his veterinarian his heart just stopped like a top high school athlete suddenly collapsing on the field. He was memorialized on Saturday January 29, 2005. In the tradition of Fire Departments, when a firefighter passes away an alarm sounds, signifying the firefighter's last call. In keeping with this custom, at 11:15 a.m. on the day of the Memorial, canine-firefighter teams across the country blew the recall command on their whistles or called out Harry, here! This was Harry's last recall. At the highly emotional service, Harry was eulogized, prayers were said and as bagpipers played Amazing Grace , the firefighters and their dogs formed a touching processional. Russell gently draped Harry's leash and collar on the corner of his cherished partner's photo. It was a beautiful way to honor a hero and show that these dogs are very much an important part of search and rescue.
Not all of the heroes of 911 are Search and Rescue dogs. Two guide dogs helped their owners out of the Towers that day. One is a yellow lab named Roselle who guided Michael Hingson down from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center making it out before either Tower collapsed. Roselle guided him to the home of a friend in mid-Manhattan where they stayed until the trains were running again. Dorado, also a Labrador, guided Omar Rivera down 70 flights of stairs, an ordeal that lasted over an hour but ended with both man and dog a safe distance from the towers when they collapsed.
Therapy Dogs and Cats
Visiting Pets, Therapy Dogs, Therapy Pets are just some of the names given to describe programs in which animals help people just by visiting with them. Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely, and less depressed. Visits from dogs can provide a welcome change from routine, or the renewal of old friendships. People become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with animals. An animal visit can offer entertainment, or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity. People often talk to the dogs, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. Animal visits provide something to look forward to. Stroking a dog or cat can reduce a person's blood pressure. Petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and turning. The pet makes it easier for two strangers to talk. It gives people a common interest and provides a focus for conversation. Many people in hospitals or group homes have had to give up pet ownership and they miss the casual acceptance a pet gives them. A dog pays little attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people as they are. The benefits continue even after the visit. The visit leaves behind memories not only of the visit, but of past experiences. It offers something for people to share.
Other animals such as cats are also used as visiting or therapy animals. Each and every one of them is a hero in some small way because they bring happiness to people who may not have had the chance to have a pet with them. For many years I had a beautiful Norwegian Forest Cat who was an ambassador for the breed but she also visited an area Nursing Home on a regular basis. I think that the most touching time was when a very elderly woman that was originally from Norway held her with tears in her eyes and said she remembered these cats when she was growing up in Norway on the family farm. That day my hero brought joy to this woman and yes, I truly feel she was a hero that day because she gave that woman such a wonderful memory of her life as a child and brought her some happiness in a country so far away from her native Norway.
Cats are Heroes too
Although people hear more about dogs being heroes these small furry felines have their fair share of heroic acts. One such cat is a small black cat named Samantha who saved the life of her companion Tia Dawn Jenkins, a disabled twenty-seven-year old woman who lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Enjoy reading her story written by Tia.
I suffer from depression and I have a medical condition that has left me with no side vision. This means I can only see the big 'E' at the top of the eye chart. I also have seizures. They are complicated by the fact that if I were to hit my head, it would be fatal, because I've had four brain surgeries. I was living in a studio apartment when one of my neighbors brought me this black cat he had, named Samantha. He told me that if I did not take her, he was going to feed her to a pit bull dog. He was angry, because Samantha had bitten him. I couldn't let him do such a cruel thing to the cat. So I agreed to take Samantha and find a new home for her. At that time I was pending Social Security insurance, so I did not have any money to take care of a cat. My boyfriend, Jason, said that he would buy anything I needed, if I wanted her. I said that I would think about it. I decided to keep Samantha for myself when I noticed that she brought me out of my depressed moods. She would make me laugh by playing fetch with me. I started to train her to bring items that I could not find due to my loss of sight and other disabilities. I trained her to alert me to people and dangers. Samantha also learned how to get help for me, if I went into a seizure.
Jason and I moved into a two-bedroom apartment. It had a faulty stove that the landlord kept putting off fixing. On January 20, 2004, I was at the computer in the living room. Jason called home from work and said that he could hear a clicking sound. I went into the kitchen and checked for the noise, but nothing was on. I went back to the kitchen about five minutes later. That's when I heard Samantha, standing at the kitchen door, making the sickest sounding meow. With what little sight I have, I saw a reflection of flames on the kitchen wall. A fire on the stove had caused the George Forman Grill to burst into flames. I reached down the side of the wall and hit the fire with the fire extinguisher. At that point I could not see anything. I didn't know that smoke was going up the stove hood. And now it was filling the apartment fast. I dialed 911 and told them I had a fire. I was confused about how to get out. All I knew was that I wouldn't leave without Samantha or Shelly (my turtle, and Samantha's friend). Then I heard Samantha over against the other wall. I managed to get to the pet taxi by following the sound Samantha was making. But she was not there!! Then I heard Samantha clawing at the aquarium's glass. This is where her friend, Shelly, lived. Again, following the sounds Samantha made, I crawled over, lifted the top off the aquarium, and put Shelly in my purse. Now that I knew about the fire, her turtle friend was safe, and I had called for help, Samantha opened the door to her pet taxi. She got inside, ready for me to rush her, Shelly, and myself out of there. Just as the fire department arrived, I locked Samantha into the pet taxi, grabbed my purse with Shelly in it, and ran from the apartment.
Later, the firefighters told me that by the time the smoke detector sounded, the whole kitchen would have gone up in flames. If it had not been for Samantha's warning and bravery, none of us would be here today. Ever since Samantha saved my life, I have tried to get my state to recognize her as a service animal. On August 4, 2004, The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentucky paid and sent for Service Animal Registry of America (SARA) and Therapeutic Animal certification for Samantha. This means no one can ever take my angel kitty from me. Samantha will have the protection under the law that she deserves.
Other Animal Heroes
Meet Binti Jua who is the hero of the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Illinois. The 8-year-old western lowland gorilla rescued a 3-year-old child who climbed a railing and fell 18 feet into the zoo's exhibit. Zoo officials responded immediately, but it was Binti who got to the unconscious boy first and carried him to an area where the humans could attend to him. Her own 17-month-old baby, Koola, clutched her back throughout the incident.
Another hero is a dog named Tuscie who at 6 months warned her owner of a fire in their apartment which was caused by a room mate who forgot to extinguish a burning candle. Another hero is a little dog named Bandit who took a Copperhead bite for her young mistress by stepping between the snake and the young girl. The dog has prevented a Copperhead bite two other times for the child’s grandmother.
In 1999 a 5-year-old rottweiler police dog named Caesar leapt into the path of a bullet, when he tried to disarm a man threatening a schoolyard full of children. Caesar later died of his wounds, but not before his partner Constable Randy Goss and other officers captured the man. Caesar was awarded the Ralston Purina Service Dog of the Year award.
A new Hero could be at your local animal shelter even now waiting for you to come and be their hero
There will always be stories of rescues of people buried under rubble or mudslides or buildings that collapse aided by canine rescue dogs but there will occasionally be a story about another kind of animal hero…your every day pet who does something extraordinary to save a person’s life or change someone’s life forever. They are all heroes in their own special way. October is Adopt-A-Dog Month. Why not visit a shelter and honor these heroes by adopting a new special friend. Who knows..perhaps you will also be bringing home a hero that will make a difference in your life.
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Links
Search Dog Foundation
California Rescue Dog Association(CARDA)
Dog Heroes of 911 Book
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