Disaster Stress Relief Dog Team

The following dogs and their handlers received induction into the newly formed Disaster Stress Relief Dog Team established by TDI. These dogs along with several others are the first to hold this certification. This position was awarded for the wonderful work they did and the long hours they put in at the various Assistance Centers set up for the families and people who had been displaced due to the 9/11 horror...

BEACH BUM MAGGIE "MAGGIE" : Owned loved and handled by our good friend and Victory Dog Training Student, Jan Biber

CINDERELLA "CINDER": Owned loved and handled by our good friend Karen Vogt

"HARRY": Owned , loved and handled by Charlie Bird

DeJaVu KODAK MOMENT "FLASH": Owned loved and handled by Donna Riley-Sweet

In addition many dogs were honored for their work and received special awards:

"NEWMAN": Handled by Amy Bennett and loved by the entire Bennett Family

"TAYLOR" ("T"): Handled by John Bennett and again loved by the entire Bennett Family

"KASSI": Handled by Sue Oakes of Sue Oakes K9 Training and loved by her as well

"LACEY": Loved and owned by Nancy DiDio. Nancy was very instrumental in putting this tremendous awards ceremony together, volunteering many, many hours at the TDI office.

"KILLIAN": Loved and owned by Connie Krawz

"HONEE": Loved and owned by Gina Ramsay

"KI-LIN": Loved and owned by Claudia Zambonini

One of the speakers at this induction, made a comment that is so important to remember, "Not all of our Therapy Dog friends and family were able to go to help at these centers it is very difficult work and not all dogs or all handlers are able to attend for one reason or another. Ground Zero is WHEREVER YOU ARE NEEDED. Not just at disaster sights, your work and visits to Nursing Homes, Hospitals and Schools, etc....are JUST AS IMPORTANT!!!!!"

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THE LONG HOURS AND THE TIME AND THE LOVE YOU PUT INTO HANDLING THESE WONDERFUL ANIMALS AND SHARING THEM SO OTHERS CAN HAVE A BETTER DAY. NO MATTER WHERE YOU VISIT KNOW YOU MAKE A HUGH DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE YOU WORK WITH !!!!!

Visit our WTC page to hear experiences of our inductees.