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2011 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 2012 annual convention. The Animal Hall of Fame includes Hero, Companion and Professional animals to its list of inductees this year. Professional Animal of the Year (Animals especially trained to assist humans)– Casey (dog)
Casey is a 3-legged therapy dog recipient of the Professional Animal Hall of Fame in 2011. Casey provides daily assistance and caring for a West St. Paul woman with developmental disabilities. In addition to his owner, Pam Hermann, Casey assists three other individuals with disabilities living in a West St. Paul house. Dr. Jean Geske with the VCA Animal Hospital has provided ongoing care to Casey.
Companion Animal of the Year (Animals who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community)– Ansel (dog)
Ansel will be the recipient of the MVMA Animal Hall of Fame, Companion category. Owned by Dr. Kate An Hunter, Ansel was adopted from the Animal Humane Society over 12 years ago, Ansel has earned the title; Canine Good Citizen; from the AKC, Obedience degrees, agility certificates, two levels of Rally, and a title in Musical Freestyle. Ansel comes to work every day with Dr. Hunter at Carver Lake Veterinary Center, and in this capacity, he has several duties: demonstrating for clients the ins and outs of canine teeth brushing, and pill and injection administration. He has happily allowed students to palpate him to learn anatomy. He has even been called on to provide hugs to bereaved clients. He has also demonstrated x-ray techniques in veterinary medicine to the 3M Company.
Hero Animal of the Year (Animals who have saved or preserved human life) – Buster (dog)
Buster is a 9 year-old fawn boxer dog and recipient of the Hero Animal Hall of Fame award. Involved in a home break-in incident, Buster fought hard to protect his owner’s home that resulted in shattering several of his teeth as he chomped on his attacker's hunting knife. He also suffered gashes to his throat, shoulder and jowls. A thief (or thieves) broke in to his Buster’s home by smashing two windows of the East St. Paul house. Buster was rushed to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) where a team of veterinarians stabilized him and tended to his injuries. Lacerations in his laryngeal region led to subcutaneous edema over much of his body, requiring several days in the VMC Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Lisa Powell, one of the VMC criticalists who worked closely with Buster, remarked on his stoicism. Even though he had major damage to his mouth, face, and neck, he was patient with us, and never showed any aggression. He would even eat with 5 teeth sheared in half!
Congratulations to Buster in receiving the Hero Animal of the Year Award. |
