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Labrador Retriever
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 Labrador Retrievers have received these awards. Here are their stories:
Roselle
2002
S
Shortly before 9:00 a.m., a hijacked jetliner crashed into the tower, 12 floors above Hingson's office. "I heard a loud noise like a bump, then a lot of shaking," Hingson recalls. "The building started swaying, and the air was filled with smoke, fire, paper, and the smell of kerosene." After calling his wife at home and then making sure his co-workers were evacuated, Hingson gathered Roselle and began the perilous descent down 78 flights of stairs.
Amid smoke, debris, and panicked evacuees, the two methodically made their way to the ground floor. "They had never walked down 78 flights together in the best of times, let alone in conditions like these," says Roselle's nominator Morry Anne Angell. "But Roselle remained calm and focused on her job and was able to lead Michael to safety. "
By the time they reached the sidewalk, Tower Two was collapsing. "It sounded like a metal and concrete waterfall," says Hingson, "and we ran for the subway entrance."
When they emerged from underground, Tower One toppled, showering them with ash and debris. Roselle finally led Hingson some 40 blocks to the midtown apartment of a friend, where they stayed until trains were again running to their New Jersey home. By 7:00 p.m., Hingson was safely in the arms of his wife.
Since 9/11, Hingson has become National Public Affairs Representative for Guide Dogs for the Blind, which has provided him with service dogs since he was 15 years old. "Roselle is the fifth in a line of four-legged blessings in my life," he says. "She helped me celebrate the opening of our new office on August 1, 2000. Then she helped me out of it on that fateful day."
Style
2001
S
Roselle
Park, New Jersey Style's
ACE nominating letter came from Samantha Singleton, a 12-year-old from
Roselle Park, N.J. The female black Labrador, trained at the Guide Dog
Foundation for the Blind, belongs to Samantha's father, Dickson
Singleton. Here are excerpts from Samantha's letter:
"Style is always watching my dad, making sure that he's OK. She's
always up for the job of protecting my dad. "When I'm in school, I
don't have to worry if my dad is in danger because I know that Style is
keeping him safe. On the way home from work, my father crosses a busy
intersection and there are careless drivers who don't pay attention. My
dad listens to the flow of traffic and will give Style the command to
move forward. If there are cars approaching, Style will disobey my dad
and stay in position.
"Style teaches our community a lot about blindness. We live in a
very small town and Style is the official first guide dog in Roselle
Park. My father once volunteered to go to the high school with Style.
The inseparable team showed the students all the different commands and
what it was like to be blind. They loved the demonstration, and Dad and
Style were given a standing ovation. Our community beams with pride
knowing that our town has such a great pal and guide dog.
"My dad and I have lots of adventures with Style's help. Nothing
stops us from having a great day. If we decide to go somewhere, she's
already ahead of us wagging her tail and smiling, with her head held up
high, waiting for another day of caring for my dad.
"I especially love Style."
