Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association: Announces 2011 Pet Hall of Fame inductees

The Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association is proud to honor three inductees for the 2011 Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame.

In its 17th year, the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame celebrates pets that exemplify the affection, loyalty, and valueof the human-animal bond. Each year the WVMA honors this special relationship in three categories: hero, professional, and companion. The 2011 inductees have contributed immensely to the lives of their owners and their communities.

These three extraordinary canines will be honored during a noon luncheon ceremony held on Feb. 19 at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

Professional – Andy

Andy, an 11 year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, from Bristol, has done more good deeds in his short life than most people do in a lifetime.

Andy has provided countless hours of service to people of all ages. He was the first therapy dog registered for R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistant Dogs) in Wisconsin. Volunteer work with the R.E.A.D program was exceptionally important to Andy’s owner, Cindy Bundy, because her daughter is dyslexic and struggled with reading. This year, Andy is celebrating his tenth year as an active therapy dog.

Andy has served communities in southeastern Wisconsin as a Delta Society Pet Partner. Delta Society’s Pet Partners program trains volunteers and screens volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities.

Andy has attended local Boys and Girls Clubs, volunteered at child grief centers, and has attended Camp Erin, a nationally acclaimed grief camp for children.

Cindy can’t believe how many lives Andy has touched. He provides welcomed distractions to children at grief camps and provides them with a sense of stability.

“He has a look about him that is comforting and steady. He emits an aura of genuine love and trust that have people of all ages drawn to him,” she says.

In 2008, Andy was awarded the American Kennel Clubs Honorable Mention award of Canine Excellence. In addition, he has been awarded honorable mention to the Delta Society’s Beyond Limits award, is a Canine Good Citizen, and has his Rally Novice Obedience title. He is only the tenth Staffordshire Bull Terrier in breed history to attain his Tracking Dog title.

“No one could have guessed that a flea infested pup from Tennessee could touch so many lives,” says Andy’s veterinarian, Dr. Jen Thelen, Westosha Veterinary Hospital, Westosha, who nominated the active canine.

Hero – Buddy

Don Miller of Grantsburg owes his life to his 11 year-old yellow Labrador, Buddy. As a sensitive-detection dog, also referred to as a “seizure dog,” Buddy helps Don every day to avoid injury, or worse.

Buddy is specially trained to be able to detect a change in smell due to an altered chemical balance in Don, which occurs about ten minutes before a seizure. When he detects a change in smell, he alerts Don. In the eight years that Don and Buddy have been together, Buddy has made over 300 detections.

When Don experiences a seizure he becomes disoriented and completely unaware of his surroundings. Because of this, Buddy’s abilities are crucial to Don and his everyday life.

One day, Buddy took his responsibility to another level as he saved Don’s life. As the pair began walking a few blocks from their home, Don started to have a seizure as he and Buddy were crossing the street. Instantly Buddy went into work mode and pulled Don across that street, and another, until the pair was in the parking lot in front of their apartment. As Don regained consciousness, he realized what Buddy had done and knows that Buddy saved his life that day.

Over the years, Buddy has lifted Don’s self-esteem. Buddy allows Don to live with more confidence because Don knows that Buddy will be there to alert him of coming seizures. Buddy is a constant friend and hero to Don.

Buddy was nominated by Dr. Gregory Palmquist, Grantsburg Animal Hospital, Grantsburg.

Companion – Roscoe

More than a companion, Roscoe, a Yorkshire Terrier, never let his small stature and health conditions slow his dedication to the Dybevik family. The Dybeviks never thought their little two pound package would have such an impact on their lives.

Despite having been born with a liver dysfunction resulting in numerous trips to the Truesdell Animal Care Hospital, Roscoe’s companionship grew into more. One of the Dybeviks two sons, Mark, has a seizure disorder. Roscoe never leaves Mark’s side when they are home and makes a distinctive bark if Mark starts to have a seizure.

At night, Roscoe sleeps by Marks parents, Ken and Doreen, so he can alert and wake them if Mark is starting to have a seizure. What is most remarkable about all of this is that Roscoe assumed the role of Mark’s guardian without any training!

Roscoe has overcome his health problems and is now “3.6 pounds of personality and pure devotion” to Mark and the entire Dybevik family.

His personality shines though in his dedication to Mark, but also when playing with his best friend, the neighbor’s 70 pound black lab. Roscoe has overcome diversity to become an indispensible and irreplaceable part of the Dybevik’s family.

Roscoe was nominated by Dr. Heide Meier, Truesdell Animal Care Hospital in Madison.

About Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association

The mission of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association is to advocate and promote veterinary medicine, while enriching animal and human health. Founded in 1915, The Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association has nearly 2,400 members.

About Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association

The mission of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association is to advocate and promote veterinary medicine, while enriching animal and human health. Founded in 1915, The Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association has nearly 2,400 members.

Contact Information

Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association

(608) 257-3665

wvma@wvma.org

http://www.wvma.org