FACCS Honors Some Special Heros
Seven Amazing Animals were Honored for Their Heroic Impact on Human Lives in Maricopa County
FACCs
has created the Hero Awards to recognize and honor the impact
local animals have had on human lives through truly heroic
efforts of service or personal survival. Each year we recognize animals for
their heroic impact on Maricopa County residents. The winners are selected from
hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, and birds nominated by pet owners or people in the community for their
heroic efforts of service or stories of personal survival. Each was judged for their heroic efforts in
acting to save or protect the life of a person, for performing services within the community, or having to
overcome their own devastating circumstances to survive.
What does it take to be a hero? Acts of loyalty, community service and the ability to survive against all odds and thrive are behaviors that our animal heroes exemplify. All of the nominees were special and it was difficult to pick just seven to be honored.
These remarkable animals were honored at the third annual Hero Awards presented by PetSmart on Nov. 5, 2005, at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix. This gala fundraising event featured a silent auction, art auction and gourmet dinner and benefited Friends of Animal Care & Control (FACCs), a non-profit organization founded to raise funds for special programs and homeless animals at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (AC&C).
These animals inspired their human guardians with their loyalty, service and sheer tenacity to live when it might have been easier to give up.
FACCS has dedicated this event to pets who have shown great and unusual courage, instinct, forethought and loyalty in their actions to help or save another animal or human being or themselves. There are amazing stories in our community of animal courage and we want to hear them all. No act of bravery is too small or insignificant. We encourage everyone who has a story to share to bring it to our attention.
Read about our 2005 Heros...
Animal Survivor:
She was only 12 weeks old and gravely ill when Jan Olsen first saw the puppy nosing around a dumpster near the gas station. But with the help of a human friend Miz Diva fought her way back from near-certain death not just to survive, but to become a happy, loving dog that's full of life.
Boo, a domestic short haired cat, was born to wild parents and eventually found under a van when he was 5 or 6 weeks old. At first glance he looked normal, but he was infested with fleas. After further inspection, it was discovered that Boo didn’t have eyes and needed surgery to remove his testicles from inside his body. Through all his hardships, he is a loving and affectionate friend to the family who gave him a home.
Service to Community:
Sirahn, a Czechoslovakian Sable German Shepherd, joined the Phoenix Police Department in October 2002 and was chosen because of his courage and yet pleasant disposition. He was teamed with Officer Bingaman after completing his training and together work tirelessly to keep our community safe and criminals off the street. In addition to the dangerous duties these two both face everyday, Sirahn is an ambassador for the Phoenix Police Department and regularly accompanies Officer Bingamen to schools and social events of all types to educate and demonstrate the keen abilities of police service dogs.
The other winner in the Service to Community category was almost ready to become a full-fledged guide dog, when Sadie suddenly came up lame one day. She recovered from that only to face a bigger challenge, a rare disorder that no German shepherd had ever survived (until Sadie). With the help of her pet parent, she battled her way back to the land of the living and now helps human children to do the same. Her work as a therapy dog has earned her the nickname "Sadie the Wonder Dog."
Animal Hero:
One of this year's most incredible stories is that of Bear. This golden retriever saved his pet parent’s life, waking him after he had taken a nasty fall in the shower. He lay there helplessly as the tub filled with water until Bear brought him around.
Sophie and Eewee, a golden Labrador and a Lhasa Apso, also demonstrated their unconditional love for their human family in a similar manner. When their pet parent suffered a head injury, they knew she was in trouble. Together, they rallied her husband to her side, making it possible for her to get the life-saving care she needed before it was too late.
“These animals have shown remarkable courage and compassion,” said Ann Damiano, chair of the Hero Awards. “We hope that these stories, and this event, help to highlight the positive impact that animals have on our lives.”
Proceeds from the Hero Awards help fund many special programs of Maricopa County Animal Care & Control including spay/neuter events, volunteer programs and provides extra support to the animals in the Animal Care & Control facilities. Programs like these are instrumental in increasing adoptions of homeless animals and reducing euthanasia of healthy and adoptable dogs and cats in Maricopa County.
Copyright 2003-2007 FACCs