Introducing the 2003 Ohio Animal Hall of Fame InducteesThe OVMA is proud to honor these special animals.
Veterinarians are encouraged to recognize animal accomplishments by nominating them for the Ohio Animal Hall of Fame. Awards are given in five categories: Hero, Companion, Professional, Therapeutic, and Outstanding Survivor. Inductees into the Ohio Animal Hall of Fame are selected from nominations received by the selection panel. Nominees must be domestic animals, who through unselfish and courageous accomplishment, exemplify the affection, loyalty, security and value of the human-animal bond. If you would like to receive information about nominating an animal for Tenth Annual Ohio Animal Hall of Fame Awards in 2004, please contact Melinda C. Capers, OVMA Communications Director, via e-mail: mcc@ohiovma.org, or call 614.486.7253. Hero Animal - Animals that have saved or preserved human life. Cocoa Owner: Frederick Johlin, Woodville, OH Veterinarian: Dr. Richard Carstensen, East Suburban Animal Clinic, Northwood, OH
Outstanding Canine Survivor - Animals who have demonstrated courage, surviving abuse, injury or disabling misfortune. Marki Owner: Roger & Tari Hess, West Salem, OH Veterinarian: Dr. James Howard, Cleveland Road Animal Hospital, Wooster, OH
In Memory of Sassy Owner: Rodney Jones, Enon, OH Veterinarian: Dr. Jennifer Lobenstein, The Tenth Life, Xenia, OH
Beauty Owner : Hoyt McMaster, Triple-A-Rescue, Lancaster, OH Veterinarian: Dr. Douglas Poorman, Feeder Creek Veterinary Services, Millersport, OH
Therapeutic Animal - Animals that have proved beneficial in a hospital, hospice, nursing home or extended care setting. Josie Owner: Betty Jean Greig, Willoughby Hills, OH Veterinarian: Dr. Kathy Culek, Eastside Dog & Cat Hospital, Chesterland, OH
Companion Animal Animals that have provided a benefit to their human companions. In Memory of April Mourning Owner: Amy Rowen, Geneva, OH Veterinarian: Dr. Bob Genovese, Berthold Equine Veterinary Services, Medina, OH
Professional Animal Animals especially trained to assist humans (ex. Pilot Dogs, Service Dogs, Mounted Patrol). Stone Fox Owner: Linda Myers, Burton, Ohio Veterinarian: Dr. Richard Novak, Dr. Richard A. Novak, Inc., Novelty, OH
|
||
Cocoa’s
story begins on Fred Johlin’s farm in Woodville, Ohio. A
broken gate on his bull pen needed attention, so he got to work while
his dog Cocoa watched from a shady spot nearby. Deep in concentration,
Fred didn’t notice that a bull had taken a defensive position
and was preparing to charge. Alerted to the danger, he frantically waved
his arms attempting to frighten the bull, but the bull charged towards
the 75 year old man. As the bull began to charge, Cocoa heard Fred’s
yelling, ran in the barn, crawled under the fence and ran in-between
Fred and the bull. Cocoa barked aggressively and nipped at the
bull, allowing Fred the chance to exit pen safely. Cocoa saved a life
that day and continues to protect Fred and the farm.
On
December 7, 1998 Roger and Teri Hess received a dramatic call from
the Wayne County Humane Society in Wooster, Ohio, where there was a
Great Dane that was in bad condition. Marki was taken first to
Dr. James Howard and then onto the OSU Veterinary Hospital. A
surgeon there told them that Marki needed immediate stomach surgery
but due to her general condition the Hess’ were told that they
did not expect Marki to survive the surgery. Marki did survive
and the surgeons had removed rocks, sticks and leaves from her stomach.
Marki recovered and continued to thrive as she went on to pass her Therapy
Dog International test in April 2000. However, in March 2002 Marki
suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax that required surgical intervention.
In the words of her owners, “Marki’s survivor spirit triumphed.”
Marki also carries a note of distinction as the second dog in the Hess
family to be honored as a Hall of Fame inductee. 
Sassy
was 5 pounds, crippled, had tested positive for feline leukemia and
was close to dying when Rodney Jones found her. An undiagnosed problem
with her front legs had advanced to paralysis, so she hobbled on her
shoulders for mobility. Doctors advised Rodney to euthanize her, but
he wanted to offer Sassy a new life instead. She became a part of the
Jones household, as a loving pet appreciative of the chance she was
given. Sassy is gone now, but her survivor spirit still lives.
Triple
A Rescue saved Beauty’s life. She was one of 5 malnourished horses
found at a local boarding stable. Veterinarian, Dr. Doug Poorman rated
Beauty’s health the worse. She was 200 pounds underweight and
not responding to care. Triple A Rescue worked for 6 months adjusting
meds, monitoring her therapy and providing a loving home. Beauty responded
quickly, as if she knew that they were saving her life. Today Beauty
is a 4-H project for a young woman and is doing great.
At
5 days of age, Josie’s front leg was amputated at the shoulder.
Her handicap strengthened her compassion for people in need. In
support of Josie’s nomination, Marianne Clause of The Ronald McDonald
House of Cleveland writes, “I have come to appreciate the truly
amazing affect the Therapy dogs have, on not only the patients themselves,
but also the families who are dealing with incredible pain and uncertainty
I look forward to Wednesday nights so I can continue to
experience the incredible joy Josie brings.” One patient
that Josie worked with there is a little girl named Nicole who had a
birth defect of the throat limiting her mobility and speech. Working
with Josie improved her condition so much, that Nicole’s mother
called it a miracle. In their own words, Josie’s owners
Betty Jean and Dale Greig have said that, “Others would have put
her down because she was not perfect, but the unconditional love that
flows from her heart is overwhelming.”
In
nominating April for this award, owner Amy Rowen wrote, “I met
April a month after my 3 year old daughter died. She was to be sold
to a dog food manufacturer because she was a bad horse from abuse. Some
people have said that I saved her life, but it was she who saved mine
as I was clinically suicidal at the time I adopted her.”
After beating the illness of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis in 1998,
and recovering from a series of health related issues over the following
years, a severe fracture in her left hind leg occurred while frolicking
in the pasture on December 31, 2001 and April had to be euthanized
when she was only 12 years old. Amy has said, “April was
loyal, protective and the most loving being I have ever had the honor
of knowing.” The bond between April and Amy represents the
connection people have with animals. They enhance our lives with their
loyalty and affection. April is gone now, but will forever be remembered
as that, once in a lifetime gift to Amy Rowen’s life.
Stone
Fox is a working professional in the field of equine assisted psychotherapy.
He assists adults and humans dealing with issues that range from addictions
and victimization issues to communication and relationship difficulties.
Owner Linda Myers refers to him as her hero and says that Stoney was
instrumental in her recovery from cancer. In February 1998, Linda
became the first therapist in the State of Ohio to be certified
in equine assisted psychotherapy. Within a year of her certification,
Stoney and Linda’s work grew to the need of purchasing a farm
space within which to continue their work. Appropriately named
“Stone Fox Farm” offers animal assisted interaction workshops.
Stoney leads clients through, healthy relationship programs, building
confidence exercises, sobriety classes and empowerment challenges. Stoney
was the first horse to be officially used in the State of Ohio as a
co-therapist in a mental health setting. He now touches the lives
of well over 400 individuals a year. |
|
|
©
Copyright 2005 - All Rights Reserved
Ohio Veterinary Medical Association 3168 Riverside Drive Columbus, Ohio 43221 Phone: 614.486.7253 Toll-Free: 1.800.662.OVMA Fax: 614.486.1325 E-mail: ohiovma@ohiovma.org |
