( Nubia, a mixed Rottweiler, who was rescued by the Washington Humane Society, attends the COG Animal Services Awards.)
The Animal Services Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) honored animal control officers, rescuers, volunteers, and others for their outstanding service to animals, animal owners, and their local communities.
During the second annual Animal Services Awards held today at COG, officials also recognized the work of the hundreds of Washington area individuals who came to the aid of thousands of pets and pet owners in the Gulf Coast states after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated their region.
“Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States, challenged the animal welfare community with the devastation and destruction in the Gulf region,” said COG Animal Services Committee Chairman Rodney Taylor, who is also Associate Director of the Prince George’s County Animal Management Division. “You rose to that challenge and we want to recognize that today.”
(COG Board Chairman, Arlington County Board Member, and proud pet-owner Jay Fisette greets the audience.)
Awards were handed out to recipients in 13 categories. Anthony Dorrzapf, a Fairfax County Animal Control Officer won the 2005 Domestic Animal Rescue Award for saving a dog that had fallen 30 feet and was stranded on a cliff in Great Falls Park. Dorrzapf’s prior training in swift water rescue enabled him to respond quickly, preventing further suffering for the dog and protecting unskilled bystanders who might have attempted to rescue the dog themselves. Since 2000, COG’s Animal Services Committee has provided the animal services community with an opportunity to meet and address regional animal care and protection issues as well as public safety and health concerns. It has worked on a dangerous dog ordinance, animal disaster planning, and the reduction of wildlife-vehicle collisions. This year’s awards were sponsored by COG, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association, and the Petco Foundation.
COG ANIMAL SERVICES AWARD WINNERS:
2005 Domestic Animal Rescue Award:
Master Animal Control Officer Anthony Dorrzapf, Fairfax County Animal Services Division
2005 Wildlife Animal Rescue Award:
Robin C. McClary, Virginia Wildlife Rehabilitator
2005 Livestock Animal Rescue Award:
Animal Control Officers Shawn Moonshadow, Molly Hahn, and Dr. Caroline Heller of the Washington Humane Society
2005 Administrative/Customer Service Team Award:
Faye Logan and Adina Howard of the Prince George’s County Animal Welfare League
2005 Adoption Teams Awards:
Rebecca Gall, Animal Welfare League of Arlington AND Kevin Simpson, Shelter In-house Training (SIT) Staff and Volunteers, Washington Humane Society
2005 Animal Care Technician Team Award:
Kathryn Dunn and the Cattery Staff at the Washington Humane Society
2005 Animal Control Officer Award:
Officer Kimberly Montgomery of Prince George’s County Animal Management Division
2005 Corporation of the Year:
The Snyder Foundation for Animals and Lora Junkin, Executive Director
2005 Humane Education Team of 2005 Award:
Jennifer Newman, of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
2005 Elected Official of the Year :
Honorable State Senator Edward Houck of Virginia (D- Spotsylvania)
2005 Veterinary Team Award:
Dr. Gary Weitzman and the Medical Center Team at the Washington Animal Rescue League
2005 Volunteer Team Award:
Tina League, Harry League, and Kimberly Montgomery, for Prince George’s County Animal Management Division
2005 Wildlife Rehabilitator Award:
Martha Leach, Independent Wildlife Rehabilitator