Oregon Animal Hall of Fame™: 2011 Inductees

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.

Bosa

Bosa
Owner: Kelly Jordan
Nominated by: Dr. Danielle Huff
Cinder Rock Veterinary Clinic, Redmond

2011 Inductee: Companion

The Companion award recognizes animals who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community.

Kelly Jordan brought Bosa into his life when the original owners re-homed the Doberman Pinscher pup. You know the story: it was love at first sight. Both Kelly and Bosa connected immediately and have become cherished friends.

Kelly has limited use of his hands and arms, and Bosa instinctively knows where to go and how to accommodate Kelly’s needs. Bosa is not a service dog, nor has he been trained to be one, but he has a natural desire to please. It is remarkable to witness how intent Bosa is with Kelly’s commands, and because of this affinity between man and man’s best friend, how easily Kelly manages the 90-pound dog.

Dr. Danielle Huff, an associate at Cinder Rock Veterinary Clinic in Redmond, nominated Bosa for this award. According to Dani, she instantly noticed the incredibly strong connection between Kelly and his dog the first time she examined Bosa two years ago.

Kelly would readily admit that his health and well-being has improved because of the bond he and Bosa share. This warm, loving canine has had such a positive impact on Kelly’s life. And as Dr. Huff has said: “Bosa is an angel with fur as he warms the heart of everyone he meets.”

Doc

Doc
Owner: Steve Lyche
Nominated by: Dr. Gayln Snair
Cinder Rock Veterinary Clinic, Redmond

2011 Inductee: Service/Professional

This award recognizes animals specifically trained for service or assistance.

In 2008, Doc, a neutered tri-colored Australian Shepherd, entered Steve Lyche’s life as an assistance animal.

Because of Steve’s physical challenges and multiple surgeries, daily routines we take for granted can at times prove to be a big obstacle for him. But we don’t have Doc, who is Steve’s “right-hand man.”

Together, they completed one year of basic training, before moving on to more specialized training to meet Steve’s specific needs. As for some of Doc’s tasks and responsibilities, they include using a harness to help pull Steve’s wheelchair along; using a stiff-handled harness to help stabilize Steve when he is walking without a cane; helping Steve to undress, pick things up and close doors, and, of course by providing constant companionship.

Steve recently underwent surgeries at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, with each stay two weeks long. Doc was a champ on his first airline flight, and while in the hospital he remained on the bed next to Steve, watching carefully as the doctors and nurses treated his human friend.

Doc brings a tremendous amount of joy to Steve and his wife, Shannon. He also shares his friendliness and outgoing personality with everyone when he visits hospitals, nursing homes and local schools for show and tell. Doc and Steve’s relationship exemplifies the richness of the human-animal connection.

Brodie

Brodie
Owner: Becky Irving
Nominated by: Dr. David Barno, Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital, Aloha
Photo by: Pam Saunders

2011 Inductee: Hero

The Hero award recognizes animals who have saved or preserved a life.

Weighing in at 120 pounds, Brodie is a gentle giant – a six-year-old bloodhound who teams up with owner Becky Irving as part of the North Oregon Regional Search and Rescue team.

What is unique about Brodie is that he is the only dog in the state this is certified to conduct urban tracking. He has his “Man Trailing” title from the American Bloodhound Association and is also an AKC conformation champion.

Brodie is often called into action to locate lost hikers, missing children, and Alzheimer's patients who have wandered off. Because of their experience and excellent reputation, Brodie and Becky are frequently called upon by the Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington county sheriff’s departments to assist them with a search.

Brodie has been assigned to 45 searches in his career, with four official finds. Most notable was the dog’s find on July 15th, 2010. During the search he located a 67-year-old man with dementia who also suffered from diabetes and who has had several strokes. The gentleman had become lost in the woods near his home and had been missing for six hours in 90 degree heat, before Brodie arrived on the scene. With his nose to the ground, Brodie located the man within 20 minutes, saving him from potential death.

Although Brodie may not get credit for an “official” find, he assists searchers by showing them the direction in which victims have travelled – 43 of these searches have ended with positive results.

Typical of a bloodhound, Brodie has a remarkable nose – exemplifying what the breed is meant to do: find people. But besides locating people with his training skills, Brodie has a charming and engaging personality and often is the “star” at community service events. Brodie is well-behaved and a wonderful good will ambassador – all 120 pounds of him.

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)
2011 Brodie (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)
2011 Bosa (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)
2011 Doc (dog)

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