Tabby’s Place is a cat sanctuary located in Ringoes, NJ that serves as an adoption center, hospital, and a hospice for cats. Tabby’s Place currently houses 90 rescued cats, many of which have endured unpleasant experiences. Over 800 cats have been adopted since the facility was established. 100 volunteers at Tabby’s play an active role in socializing the cats and helping them build trust and bond with humans. In return, the volunteers’ lives are touched every day by these cats. The Cats of Tabby’s Place were nominated by the volunteers and Dr. Laura Collins of Cranbury Animal Hospital in Cranbury, NJ. In the photo: Denise Jeffries, Sharon Rosenberg, Founder & Executive Director, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Dr. Laura Collins.
Born with no front legs, Kanga, a six-year-old Chihuahua, is inspiration to people of all ages. Adopted from a shelter by Mary and John Rudder of Branchburg, NJ, Kanga has had a positive impact on people and other animals. She visits hospitals, schools, and participates in fundraisers for worthy causes. Despite her disability, Kanga is full f life. Her positive spirit brightens the classrooms she visits and she reinforces the notion that anything is possible. Kanga was nominated by Mrs. and Mr. Rudder and Dr. Joseph Martins of Belle Mead Animal Hospital in Hillsborough, NJ. In the photo: John Rudder, Mary Rudder, Kanga, and Dr. Joseph Martins.
Tilly, four-year-old English bulldog, has managed to alter common misconceptions about bulldogs due to her unusual relaxed and harmless demeanor around children at the Monmouth County Medical Center. Tilly is a frequent visitor of the Valerie Fund Center for Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders. Owner, Alison Silver of Long Branch, NJ, considers herself blessed to have Tilly in her life. Tilly is not only a positive distraction but a playmate for children, as young as two, who are undergoing serious cancer treatments. Tilly was nominated by Mrs. Silver and Dr. Mary Beth Morgan of Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ. In the photo: Alison Silver, Tilly, and Dr. Mary Beth Morgan.
Samson, better known as the “Kissing Pony,” has really established a name for himself in New Jersey. Straight out of a field just five years ago, with no training, Samson has been able to captivate the hearts of residents at numerous nursing homes across the state. Owner, Carol Wingerter of Millstone Township, NJ is impressed by how adaptable Samson is to different environments. Five months out of the year, Samson visits nursing homes, where his presence provides a degree of comfort to the elderly, who are confined to indoor environments. What makes Samson even more special is expression of unconditional love— as kisses are granted at any time upon Samson was nominated by Ms. Wingerter and Dr. Elden Klayman of Colts Head Veterinary Services, P.C. in Clarksburg, NJ. In the photo: Dr. Elden Klayman, Samson, and Carol Wingerter.
Established in 2002, the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey Prison Program provides both rehabilitative benefits for incarcerated youth and needed socialization and obedience training for rescued greyhounds. The program takes place at the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale, NJ and couples 11 greyhounds with 22 inmates assigned to train, socialize and care for them. The intent of the program mirrors the strength of the human-¬animal bond given that the greyhounds become companions of these troubled young men and in return, they receive the care and support that they deserve. The Greyhound Friends of New Jersey Prison Program was nominated by the volunteers and Dr. Wendy Ross of Crown Veterinary Specialists in Lebanon, NJ. In the photo: Sue Smith (Volunteer), Odessa, President, Linda Lyman, Georgia Schilling (Volunteer), and Dr. Wendy Ross.
The Posthumous Hero Recognition was presented to a fallen hero, K-9 Schultz. Schultz was killed in the line of duty on November 30, 2010, while apprehending a robbery suspect. Schultz served with the Gloucester County Police Department since 2008 under the supervision of his handler, Cpl. Mark Pickard. Schultz was not an ordinary dog. Schultz was fearless, courageous, and a true hero. The late K-9 Schultz was memorialized with full police honors on December 9, 2010 at the Gloucester Township Community Park. Captain Anthony Minosse and Cpl. Mark Pickard submitted a nomination for this special recognition and Schultz veterinarians, Dr. Mark Wray and Dr. Gerald Greco shared their support. In the photo: Captain Anthony Minosse and handler, Cpl. Mark Pickard.