Oregon Animal Hall of Fame™
Each year, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association and Oregon Animal Health Foundation honor animals who, through unselfish and courageous accomplishments, exemplify the affection, loyalty, security, public service, and value of the human-animal bond.
The Oregon Animal Hall of Fame™ is the second longest running awards program among veterinary organizations in the country. Since the program was started in 1988, the OVMA and the OAHF have recognized dogs, cats, an animal welfare group, a horse therapy group, horses, and one llama! Animals are inducted into the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame™ during the Oregon Veterinary Conference in Corvallis.See below for a list of past inductees.
2010 Companion Inductee: Rusty
Owner: Senior Dog Rescue of OregonNominated by: Dr. Sabra Thomas
All Creatures Great & Small Veterinary Clinic, Corvallis
The Companion award recognizes animals who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community.
Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon and the young women on Aspen Unit of the Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility designed the "Canines At The Creek" program. From the beginning, the program has been a runaway success for one reason: Rusty, the dog that led the way and continues to inspire and educate.
Canines At The Creek has two main goals: (1) to enhance adoptability of senior dogs by providing foster care, obedience training and socialization; (2) to help provide the youth on Aspen Unit with the skills needed to succeed when they return to society. In caring for Rusty, the young residents of Aspen Unit have the opportunity to learn and practice the life skills they need to be successful in the future.
This story is about the incredible bond forged by Rusty, a Chesapeake/Lab mix, and the young women on Aspen Unit at Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility. One of three units at Oak Creek, Aspen houses 25 girls and young women, many whose release dates are years away.
Background
Imagine being a teenager again, a time when your focus should be on passing Algebra or hoping you'll get your driver's license. Instead, your life goes horribly off track and you find yourself incarcerated with 25 others at a locked facility where every moment is watched, every day regimented. Each morning you awake to the reality that you have many, many more days before you'll ever return to a "normal" life. You know your family might not call, write or show up on visiting day. It's easy to lose hope.
Next, imagine being a 10 year old dog who finds himself abandoned and hungry on the streets. A ride in the animal control truck ends at a concrete cage in a shelter. At first, you rush to the gate each time you hear someone approach, convinced it's your family - but it never is. One day at mealtime, a sweet young staff person pats your head and says "Euthanasia is the kindest thing for you, old boy." You watch her walk away. Then you curl up in the corner of your run. Hope is gone.
Rusty's Story
Rusty arrived at Aspen Unit in the fall of 2009 to begin his new life as the first dog enrolled in Canines At The Creek. Within days, staff notes begin to mention "a remarkable mellowing of the atmosphere on the unit and the girls' behavior." Rusty has an instinctive ability to calm agitated behavior, buoy up a sad demeanor and, when necessary, to put himself in a place where he can't be ignored. Staff journals show that morale and behavior of the residents continue to improve each day that Rusty is on the unit.
Residents who previously refused to leave their beds rush out each morning to feed and walk their big brown dog. It's clear that Rusty's presence has a profoundly positive effect on the young women on Aspen and on the entire Oak Creek program. One resident relates how Rusty pushed open the door of a staff office to tend to a young woman in crisis. Shooed out by staff, Rusty immediately returned to stand stubbornly at the young woman's side even though he knew he was breaking rules. Security personnel report fewer calls from Aspen and paint out remarkable improvement in some of the most difficult residents.
This gentle dog is one in a million. Like a parent who instinctively knows which child needs attention, Rusty cares for 'his girls.' He is a master at recognizing sadness, calming an agitated girl and knowing the difference. Even during the most dangerous situations when an out-of-control youth is taken down by staff, Rusty stays calm and close by. He knows his place is not in the midst of the chaos, but as a comfort to the girls afterwards. He is at his best when he quietly places himself within touching distance of girls who need reassurance but are timid about approaching him.
Because Rusty had such an extraordinary impact on the lives of the young women on Aspen Unit he has been granted permanent status at Oak Creek and will live out his life with 'his girls.'
His title is Therapy Dog but he is so much more to these young women: a symbol that spring will come again into their lives. He is their lifeline in times of trouble. In return, he has been given a second chance for a new life filled with the wonder of young people.
Past Inductees
Hero
Recognizes animals who have saved or preserved a life.
- 1988 Big Red (dog), Sam (cat)
- 1989 Hadji (dog), Morgan (dog)
- 1991 Max (dog)
- 1992 Missy (dog)
- 1993 Gunner (dog)
- 1997 Helga & Tad (dogs)
- 2000 Sheba (dog)
- 2002 Ceasar (dog)
- 2003 Pillsbury (dog)
- 2004 Sunny (dog)
- 2005 Chassa (dog)
- 2009 Zar (dog)
Companion
Recognizes animals who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community.
- 1994 Solo (cat)
- 1999 Project Pooch
- 2002 Howard (dog)
- 2003 Jesse (dog)
- 2005 “Ginger” (dog)
- 2006 Cassidy (cat)
- 2007 Daniel (dog)
- 2008 Gracie (dog)
- 2009 Ace (dog)
- 2010 Rusty (dog)
Professional/Service
Recognizes animals specifically trained for service or assistance.
- 1990 Sparkle (dog)
- 1994 Ranger (dog)
- 1998 Horses for the Physically Challenged
- 2001 Cajun (dog)
- 2002 Kate (dog)
- 2003 Camas (llama)
- 2004 Rikki (horse)
- 2005 Gleason (dog)
- 2006 Snert & Jake (dogs)
- 2007 Annie (dog)
- 2008 Butterscotch (horse)