(MAGDRL - New Jersey Region)
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MAGDRL-NJ - Rudy's Pages
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THE ANIMAL COMPANION, NOVEMBER 30, 2005
Senior Great Dane receives 2005 Hero Award
NEW YORK CITY - Rudy, a 10-year-old Great Dane from North Carolina, received the 2005 Hero award at the seventh annual Broadway Barks. The event, produced by Broadway Care / Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by Animal Planet, Dogsters, The New York Times, Loews Hotels, and Shei-pa, took place on Saturday, July 30 in Shubert Alley.
Presented by Monty Python's Spamalot stars David Hyde-Pierce, Christopher Sieber, Michael McGrath and Steve Rosen, the award was granted in recognition of Rudy's work with the children of Grandfather Home, a home and charter school for physically, emotionally, and sexually abused children located in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Receiving the award on Rudy's behalf was Laurie Zoock, Public Relations Director of MAGDRL, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc.
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"Rudy is a great support person and he really listens to what you tell him and he can't hold a grudge. Rudy's soft eyes and comical eyebrows tell you exactly what he is thinking. When you are having problems you can sit by Rudy and read to him while he listens to what you are saying. Talking to him about your feelings helps and sometimes you can hear what this wise old dog is telling you." Jennifer B. age 14 (student) |
The Broadway Barks Hero award is a certificate of recognition awarded to an animal or individual who has made a significant contribution to the community and/or to animal welfare. Past recipients have included various types of service dogs, as well as a dog that played a prominent role in search and rescue on 9/U. The first award was granted at Broadway Barks 4 in order to pay tribute to the dogs that showed such heroism and courage in their search and rescue efforts on 9/11.
Rudy was originally living in an affluent community of New Jersey. His owner became a drug addict and Rudy suffered from severe neglect. He was found abandoned and starving. The New Jersey chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane League took in Rudy, who, at the age of eight and arthritic, was already considered a "senior Dane."
Laura Hickey, Director, Residential Treatment, Grandfather Home, read about Rudy on MAGDRL's website. She decided that it was "love at first sight," began the adoption process and travelled to New Jersey to take Rudy home.
Rudy became the pilot dog of the Grandfather Home's animal assisted therapy program. He came to classes and interacted with the children who were immediately drawn to him. They showed marked improvement and the Pet Services Program grew to include another rescued Great Dane and several mixed breed dogs. The children in the program have also began training and fostering Great Dane puppies, finding adoptive homes for them and caring for them in the process.
"Rudy is a fine example of the many wonderfule Danes that come through our rescue every year," said Debra Rahl, President, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League.
"Many who have experienced similar neglect and abuse still, like Rudy, have it in their hearts to love and trust people and to give back ten fold. I am extremely proud to be part of such a dedicated organization of volunteers. When you meet a dog like Rudy though, you can truly understand why there are such a large number of wonderful people so willing to give of their time to help this gentle breed," she said.
"My sincerest thanks go to Bernadette Peters, Mary Tyler Moore, and the producers of Broadway Barks for recognizing the power of Rudy's special mission!" said Hickey.
"There simply aren't enough pictures, or stories to express the hero Rudy is to all of us at Grandfather Home," she added. "You really have to be there and hear the soft voices say 'Goodnight, Rudy' from their bedrooms as I pick Rudy up after a day with 'his' girls...or hear a child say 'Hey Rudy! Guess what!' and then continue to chatter as she walks to school with Rudy, her confidant. Those voices say it all."
Hosted by Mary Tyier Moore and Bernadette Peters, Broadway Barks 7 is a "star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon" benefiting New York City animal shelters, rescue groups, and adoption agencies. Aided by an group of Broadway stars who act as presenters for the homeless pets attending the event, Moore and Peters focus attention on finding permanent homes for these pets in addition to targeting educational efforts in regard to responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter, and the importance of pet identification. For more information on Broadway Barks go to www.broadwaybarks.com.
To read more aboutRudy's work with the children of Grandfather Home, visit www.grandfatherhome.org, then click on the Rudy's Story link.
The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane League serves seven states. The league rescues Great Danes who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, caring for them until they are adopted, providing medical care and spay/neutering. The organization is staffed completely by volunteers. For more information about Great Dane rescue, visit MAGDRL at http://www.magdrl.org.Article published by The Animal Companion
November 30, 2005
