Bloodhood

Every year, the American Kennel Club
presents its Award for Canine Excellence to dogs who
"enrich, inspire or contribute to the lives of individuals and communities".

Awards are given out in 5 categories: Exemplary Companion Dog (ECD),
Law Enforcement (LAW), Search and Rescue (SAR),
Service (S), and Therapy (T)

Two Bloodhounds have received these awards. Here are their stories:

Gibson
2005

SAR

Cazenovia, New York   Only seven weeks old when he began training, 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.

Boudreaux
2001

SAR

Dallas, Texas   Since 1998, Boudreaux has been working with Dallas Search One Rescue Team, a volunteer search-and-rescue organization that assists government agencies in locating missing people. In that time this magnificent hound, recovered from a Fort Worth shelter in 1996, has been utilized by law-enforcement agencies throughout Texas and Oklahoma. His remarkable nose has made the difference in the rescue of lost Alzheimer's patients, children, and people with mental disabilities.

Boudreaux has also brought a new sense of purpose to Sue and David Daniels, the dog-loving owners of a large canine brood. Says Sue Daniel, "Boudreaux has changed our lives. He has given us challenges, rewards, laughter, and memories to last a lifetime." They originally took in the rescue hound with the intention of fostering him until a permanent home could be found. After Boudreaux quickly worked his way into their hearts, and onto their sofa, the Daniels became interested in search-and-rescue work. With the help of her husband, Sue began the training required for both dog and handler.

She recalled the painstaking process in a story for the American Bloodhound Club Bulletin: "Many times David didn't think Boudreaux had taken the scent, and he would keep pulling Boudreaux closer to the scent article, telling him to check it. Having enough of this, Boudreaux would turn and bark as if to say, 'You idiot, I've got it!' Sue and David write, "We feel fortunate to be the owners of the great 'hound from the pound.' "

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