2010 Minnesota Animal Hall of Fame Awards

MVMA Animal Hall of Fame Awards

To celebrate and recognize the important link between animals and humans, the MVMA awarded three exceptional animals at the 2011 annual convention.  The Animal Hall of Fame added Hero, Companion and Professional animals to its list of inductees this year.

 Professional Animal of the Year (Animals especially trained to assist humans)– Dobie (dog)

Dobie, a black lab, is a Certified Therapy Dog who has worked with and comforted patients at the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center and Phoenix Alternatives, Inc. alongside his loving owner, Richard Bartel. Dobie has his own disability as he was thrown from a parking ramp at approximately 4 months of age. Dobie went through extensive physical therapy and his story on WCCO Television elicited almost $100,000 in donations. Dobie became a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International (TDI), and has now completed hundreds of therapy dog visits. There are countless stories about how important Dobie has been in the growth of people with disabilities at both the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center and Phoenix Alternatives, Inc. and he has touched countless lives as well. Dobie continually provides valuable service to the community by the power of the human-animal bond, and he has helped many individuals move forward in their recovery.  He is well known for putting a smile on faces of clients, even those who rarely smile, and he has a way of inspiring hope through his own story of hardship and his willingness to give back after all he has been through. Dobie deserves the award for Professional Animal of the year because he has inspired and provided hope to clients that often results in clients becoming more engaged in their own treatment.  His inspiration and unfailing service deserves to be honored.

Congratulations to Dobie in receiving the Professional Animal of the Year Award.

Companion Animal of the Year (Animals who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community)– Echo (dog)

Echo is a German Shepherd and is a certified Psychiatric Service and Therapy Dog. He met Audrey through Puppy Love Caring Canines, and has been her loyal partner ever since. He has provided important friendship and companionship to Audrey, who has experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse since childhood. Echo has been an essential part of Audrey's recovery process, and has significantly boosted Audrey's confidence during an extremely stressful period of time. In addition to helping Audrey deal with her diagnoses of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Personality Disorder, Echo brings smiles to faces, loves children, and opens up conversations with people that Audrey could not do on her own.

Congratulations to Echo in receiving the Companion Animal of the Year Award.

Hero Animal of the Year (Animals who have saved or preserved human life) – Major (dog)

Major is a German Shepherd who has been a K-9 Dog for the Roseville Police Department for the past 7 years. Major is a dual purpose dog trained in both patrol work and narcotics, and has assisted in over 250 apprehensions in his career in addition to hundreds of narcotics arrests.  He is very close with his partner and handler, Officer John Jorgensen, and the two make an excellent team. In two separate incidents in 2010 Major provided exemplary service in apprehending a fleeing suspect and was stabbed four times in the more recent incident by the victim.  Major is recovering at the VMC from his stab wounds and he is beloved by all who know him there. K9 Major has won countless awards and trophies for his exemplary service, and his sense of loyalty and commitment along with a desire to protect others makes him the definition of an Animal Hero.

Congratulations to Major in receiving the Hero Animal of the Year Award.

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