Professionals and volunteers from Humane and Service Agencies in Arlington County - pictured here with Rodney Taylor, associate director of Animal Services Management for Prince George’s County and chair of the Animal Services Committee - were awarded this year's Community Partnership Award.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) held its fifth annual Animal Services Award program, honoring professionals and volunteers from across the region for their work in animal services.

COG Board of Directors Chairman Penelope Gross, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, delivered the opening remarks at the program. “The passion and dedication you put into your jobs as award winners and nominees is commendable, and it is wonderful to see people from across the region supporting each others’ efforts,” said Gross.

This year’s awards were sponsored by COG, The Humane Society of the United States, The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Whole Foods Market, Dewberry, and The American Humane Association. Liz Crenshaw, NBC 4 News Consumer reporter, returned to host the event.

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.

COG ANIMAL SERVICES AWARD WINNERS  

Administrative Customer Service Award

Rita Naimoli, Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Adoption Award

Inga Fricke, Loudoun County Animal Care & Control

Animal Care Award

Loudoun County Animal Care & Control Staff and Volunteers, Loudoun County Animal Care & Control

Animal Control Officer/Humane Officer Award

Cara Thomas, Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division

Animal Rescue Story of 2008 (Domestic and Farm Animals)

Ted Deppner and Edwin Owens, Washington Humane Society - DC Animal Care and Control

Community Partnership Award

Lucia Schmidt, Kay Speerstra, Robert Sharpe, Dawn Kuras and Debbie Powers, Arlington County OEM, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Arlington County Dept. of Human Services, American Red Cross-Arlington Chapter

Humane Education Award

Washington Humane Society - Humane Education Program, Washington Humane Society

Leadership Award

Councilmember Mary Cheh, Council of the District of Columbia

Veternarian Award

Dr. Janet Rosen, The Washington Animal Rescue League

Volunteer Award

Joseph Bordonaro, Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Wildlife Advocacy / Rescue / Rehab Award

Sue Farinato, Wildlife Aid Brigade