1985

Karenthia’s Spun Gold.  Bitch owned by Jane Scholl.  For heroism displayed in alerting her family to a household fire.

1987

Can. OTCh., U-CDX Mo’s Superstar, CDX, VB, TT, HC, STDds, HTD, VCX.  Bitch owned by Monika Hole & Ray Miesch.  For being the 1^st Collie to earn the ASCA STDs title, as well as the 1^st to earn AWCA’s HTD title.

1988

Missy ( OTCh. Sunrise Diane’s Delight).  Bitch owned by Diane Hemphill.  For her many and varied obedience titles and accomplishments.

1995

Ch., VCH “Gentleman Cole”.  Dog owned by Jean Levitt.  For outstanding service and noteworthy recognition from the AKC, CCA, Delta Society, and the CBS Evening News for his work as an Assistance Dog, a Social/Therapy Dog, and Ambassador for Working Collies (posthumous).

1996

Amie (U-AG, Ch. U-CD Victory Hill Moonlight Magic, UDX, CC, CGC, PPI.  Bitch owned by Ed Bechtel.  In recognition of her career as a TV star who has made 150 TV commercials and the first female Collie to earn the AWCA CC title.

1996

Mellow (U-R The Dawn Of The Hill, CD, HC, TT, TDI, BPD, CGC, CC, CERF, VCX).  Dog owned by Megan Loe & Shirley Ibara.  In recognition of his 9 years of service as a Social/Therapy Dog in nursing homes, for being the first rough Collie to earn the AWCA CC title, and to honor the very special achievement of completing his CD at the age of 11½ years.

1998

Lassie, (Generation #8).  Dog owned by Robert Weatherwax; TV and movie star.  Lassie has been involved in numerous community service drives, most recently as the spokesdog for the American Library Association in 1997.  He also works for children’s charities and is involved in the hospital visitation of sick children.

1998

Foxxi (HC Pokies Winterset Foxxi, CD).  Bitch owned by Judy Garbarino; first Collie to earn AKC Herding Championship, Aug. 31, 1997.

1998

Harley (Ch. Montara Beyond The Blue Neon, HS, PT, TT, CGC).  Bitch owned by Rebecca Henson, Hildy Morgan, Karen Meyers.  First Herding Titled Best In Show Collie; first BIS of any breed to have a Trialing Title; AKC’s first HS/BIS dog.

1998

Shasta ( Am./Can. Ch. Trailsend Joker’s Silhouette , Can. CD, CDX, TT, HIC, CRT, VCX, OFA, CERF, BP, CGC, TDI), (4/18/84-4/20/96).  Bitch owned by Lori Tackabury.  Was one of the first champions with multiple titles in her time; Can. CD with 3 firsts, Can. Ch. On a 10-day circuit; HIT’s for American obedience; drill team demonstrations for 1½ years; therapy dog for 5 years.

1998

Brillante (Rockettes Brillante, Am./Can. CD), (1966-1977).  Bitch owned by Marion Lawliss.  Multiple high scores during years of obedience.  Brillante went to school with her owner/teacher from the time she was a puppy.  With her owner she taught children obedience, handling and showing.  There was a dog show each year, and all children participated.  She was also involved in 4-H for 10 years teaching the above, and it was in this capacity that she started a 10-year therapy career, making regular visits to a nursing home.  She attended rare breed exhibits at the Linden Co. Fair giving demonstrations there.  Brillante was a pioneer of an American Working Collie before the current titles systems.

1998

Zippy (Ch. Nirvana’s One Step Higher, UD, HI, n/e).  Dog owned by Sherry Moss.  Only Collie to win both High In Trial in herding and obedience at the CCA National Specialty shows; High In Trial Herding, 1994 Niagara Falls; High In Trial Obedience, 1997 Reno.

1998

Geordie (U-CD Sunrise Diane Celtic Dream, CDX, CGC, HIC, VC).  Dog owned by Judy Cummings.  #1 Obedience Collie in 1996 Delaney System; Open 4^th place in the 1998 Pup-peroni Western Regional Competition.

1998

Kelly (Desiree’s West Coast Kelly, CGC, TT, TDI, n/e).  Bitch owned by Jan Wall.  7 years work as a Social/Therapy dog; visits to hospitals and residential facilities for the multiply disabled.

1998

Trouper (Bellvue’s Broadway Trouper, CD, NC, TT, TDI, CGC, VC).  Dog owned by Jan Wall.  7 years as a Social/Therapy dog; visits to hospitals and resident facilities for multiply handicapped.

1998

Cloudy (Ch. Tartanside Silver Lining, CD, TDX, HCT).  Bitch owned by Sue Larson.  #1 Obedience Collie in 1997 Delaney System.

1998

Majerle (Dan Majerle, UDX).  Dog owned by Garry & Linda Thorn.  #1 Obedience Collie in 1997 First and Foremost System.

1998

Pooka ( U-CDX, U-ACHX Misty Highland’s Pooka, UD, OA, S-UD, FDCH, TT, CGC, TDI).  Bitch owned by Beth & John Elliott.  #1 Obedience Collie in 1996 First and Foremost System.

1999

Wally (U-CDX Overland Walter Larpat, CDX, HIC, TT, TDI, PP, CGC, VC), (1989-1997).  Dog owned by Pat & Larry Pim.  For extraordinary therapy work done at Akron Children’s Hospital (1993-1997) where, among other things, he would visit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and lie alongside 5-month-old babies, and go to the Burn Unit and make children feel better.  He was part of a Japanese documentary filmed at Children’s.  Also, in his first 3 obedience trials, he went 1^st in the class, and on his 4^th outing, went High In Trial from Novice A.  During his Novice career, he was ranked as high as 5^th in the country.  He is currently doing his work posthumously as the Collie on the Printwick Papers refrigerator magnets.

1999

Gina (Lassie’s Silver Star Gina).  Bitch owned by Cathy Schmidt.  For making public appearances for over a year now at nursing homes, elementary schools, libraries, etc.  She and Cathy put on a show called “Never Give Up On Your Dreams.”  It tells the story of a little girl who didn’t have the best childhood, who loved to watch Lassie.  When times were bad, Lassie was there for her, and she grew up dreaming of someday meeting Lassie.  The story continues, telling how she eventually was recommended to Lassie’s owner to be a candidate to adopt one of Lassie’s pups.  Gina is off stage while Cathy shows a video of how the little girl managed to meet Lassie and become the owner of one of his pups.  When the video is over and the lights come up, there is Gina with Cathy.  They demonstrate the training that Cathy has taught Gina, and talk about how important it is to train your dog and how no dog, not even Lassie, is well behaved without training.  Cathy then fields questions about Collies and their care, and encourages all to never give up their dreams.

1999

Chelsea (Scaandia Kismet’s Absolut, UD, Can. CDX).  Dog owned by Kristin Thober.  Chelsea was the 1998 Top Delaney System Collie for obedience.  He participated in the AKC National Invitational Tournament in June 1999 (invitation based on OTCh. Points earned the previous year).

1999

Shadow (Starmist Carmel Moon Shadow, CDX, CGC, TDI, BPDX, VC).  Bitch owned by Colleen & Bennett Luckiesh.  In recognition of 7 years of Social/Therapy visits.  Shadow is a certified Therapy Dog with TDI.  During that time she has made numerous visits to nursing homes to cheer residents, and this year alone will make over 40 visits.

1999

Jodi (Am./Can. Ch. Oakhill Kismet Anticipation, CD, HT, HTD, VA, STDs, VC).  Bitch owned by Nancy E. Greenwood.  In 1988 Jodi earned her HC at the first CCA herding events at the National (she also went BOV at Westminster and at the National that year).  In 1989 an Award of Merit winner at CCA (the 1^st year they had those awards) and earned her HTD from AWCA and her STDs from ASCA, placing 2^nd and 1^st in the Started class at large trials in Michigan.  In 1993 she earned her CD and in 1994 earned her 2^nd Award of Merit at just under 8 years of age.  In 1998 she won the 11+ Veterans Bitch Class and her HT title at 12 yrs, 4 mos.  In 1999 at the CCA National she received the Versatility Award, and also received her VC title from AWCA.  She is close to her VCX title now.  She has been a dynamic representative of the “versatile” Collie.

1999

Blondie (Kings Valley Choice Vintage, HC, TC, TDI, CGC, CRT, BPDX, VC, Service Dog Retired).  Bitch owned by Walter & Jean Lenon.  In recognition of a lifetime of service work.  She was an assistance dog for 2 wheelchair-bound individuals.  Her 1^st person was a quadriplegic who Blondie helped enable to operate his own internet business using a mouthstick.  She was his all-around pick-up girl and had she not been there, he would have often had to wait until human assistance came along to be able to “pick up” and continue.  She served her 2^nd person until that person passed away, also wheelchair-bound.  Blondie helped her human assistant with her person’s daily needs.  Blondie is currently enjoying retirement as a member of the Lenon family.

1999

Spree (Can. Ch. Woodruff’s Kindred Spirit, Can. CDX, Am./Can. CGC).  Bitch owned by Marilyn Clayton.  Spree is the 1^st Collie, rough or smooth, to earn a Canadian CGC title.  Canadian titles are issued by the Human-Animal Bond Association of Canada.  She is also the #2 Obedience Collie in Canada this past year (results official Aug. 1999 for previous year) as per Dogs In Canada, the CKC’s official publication.

2000

Jonah (U-UD/Can. OTCH Kimegan’s Whale Of A Tale, UD, Ber. CD, H/C, TD Inc., VC).  Dog owned by Amy D. & James M. Stephens.  Jonah is the first smooth Collie to obtain a triple Utility title.  He earned all three titles in 8 months during 1999.  He also managed to be ranked #2 in Canada in 1999 and in the Top Ten Delaney System for 1999.  Although retired from competition, he continues a rigorous schedule of therapy visits and community demonstrations at the Ipswich, MA, library and periodically at other local libraries.  He has also put on demonstrations for the Girl Scout troops at the Montessouri Convent of the Sisters of St. Ann in Marlboro, MA, so they can earn their “animal badge.”  Not only is obedience demonstrated, but the Stephens also stress the functions of the dog’s breeding, what therapy work is, and safety around dogs both familiar and strange.  Jonah also demonstrates carting.  He has been a therapy dog for 4 years and visits various nursing homes in the area.

2000

Aspen (Agapie Caibor Country Girl, CDX, CGC, TD, TT, TDI, Search and Rescue, Fire Safety and Education Dog).  Bitch owned by Deborah King.  Aspen’s work as a search and rescue dog and her outstanding educational program in teaching fire safety to children has been featured in past issues of Collie Connection.  Because of their unusual and valuable skills, Aspen and Deborah were invited by the government of Portugal to visit and help establish a similar program there, which they did in April 1999.

2000

Donner (Trailwind’s High Country, CDX, TDX, MX, MXJ, HS).  Dog owned by Susan Larson.  Donner was the #1 AKC Agility Collie for 1999.

2000

Dakota (U-CDX North Dakota Wrangler, Am./Can. CD, CGC, TDI, TT, NC, HIC, VCX).  Dog owned by Christine and Eugene Chin.  Dakota is a real “working Collie.”  He has accompanied Christine to work at their family-owned business for the past 8 years.  He is the official customer greeter and mail collector.  While competing in obedience, he qualified for all (AKC, UKC, and CKC) of his titles in 3 straight shows.  While earning his AKC CD, he was ranked in the Top Ten Novice Collies in the Delaney System.  He also earned several class placements and a specialty High In Trial.  He has been a registered and working therapy dog for the past 7 years.  He regularly visited the Hunterdon Care Center Nursing Home and Somerset Medical Center, a large local hospital.  As a member of a therapy dog club, Dakota has given the elementary school children of Whiton Rd. School in Neshanic, NJ, presentations on the role and importance of social therapy dogs for the past 6 years.  His first love is social therapy visits, and this is where he truly shines.

2001

Cody (U-ACHX Glen Ellyn Cody, MX, MXJ, AAD, EAC, EJC, O-OGC, FDCh., HIC, CGC).  Dog owned by Bob and Deanne Olson.  Cody was the Top Agility Collie for 2000 with 276 “Delaney System” points earned from Excellent B Standard and Jumpers classes.

2001

Kayla (U-CD Stargazer Reflection Of Love, CD, CGC, TDI, HIC, TT, NA, NAJ).  Bitch owned by Sally Richardson.  Kayla was the Top Delaney System Obedience Collie for 2000 with 138 points.

2001

Angel Eyes (Angel Eyes Thornhill, CD, CGC, TDI).  Bitch owned by Ruthie Thornhill.  Angel Eyes has been a Therapy Dog for 9 years, visiting with patients of the Hospice of Texarkana, Wadley Regional Medical Center, Health South Rehabilitation Hospital and many nursing homes.  She also puts on obedience demonstrations at schools for the children.  She has been featured on TV and in the newspapers for her work.  She was voted #1 most well behaved Collie out of 150 at the St. Judes walk for children.  She also provides assistance to Ruthie, who is disabled.  Angel is a rescue Collie.

2002

Cody (Graymor’s Pot ‘O Gold, CGC, TDIAOV).  Dog owned by Janet Wall.  Cody is a very busy therapy dog, and has taken the highest honor bestowed by Therapy Dogs International – that of TDIAOV (Therapy Dogs International Active Outstanding Volunteer). This is an award for volunteering for more than 150 visits. Cody is also a Social Therapy Dog for the pediatric oncology unit for the past 2 years.  He also provides his services as a Therapy Dog (Animal-Assisted Therapy) for the therapists at Rehabilitation Center for people with strokes and brain injuries, long-term surgeries, etc.  Cody has also been a full-time classroom dog for 2 years.  He worked with 6th graders the first year, 2nd graders the second year, as a companion, comforter, and calming factor to all the children.  Jan developed a curriculum (now at http://howtoloveyourdog.net) involving Cody in math, reading, and writing.  He is an ongoing Public Relations Dog by helping students at a local elementary school learn about responsible dog care and ownership.  With Cody at school the kids are more motivated to come to class and their attendance has improved.  At recess, kids are allowed to walk Cody around the playground.  This has boosted their self-esteem.  Cody’s calm, gentle, and loving temperament have made him everyone’s best friend and give the children a great way to learn.

2002

Teine (U-CDX, U-ACHX Highcroft’s Too Hot To Handle, UD, MX, MXJ, Can. CD, S-CDX, FMX, OAC, NJC, NGC, HCT, HIC, TT).  Bitch owned by John and Beth Elliott.  Teine has retired the Collie Club of America Bill Johnson Memorial Trophy by winning High in Trial 3 times at the CCA National (1996 from Novice, and 1998 and 2001 from Open).

2002

Bandit (Ch., OTCh. Ciera Crystal Blu Persuasion, UDX).  Bitch owned by Chris Inouye.  Bandit was the top Delaney System Collie in obedience for 2001 with 126 points.

2002

Culley (Cullen, UDX, OA, OAJ).  Dog owned by Sally Richardson.  Culley was the top First and Foremost System Collie in obedience for 2001 with 82 points.

2003

James Bond (Ch. DBL-O-Seven Ability At Savoy, HXAs, HIAd,c, HSBs, NA, NAJ).  Dog owned by Ericka Wojack.  James Bond was the Top Herding Collie for 2002.

2003

Mystery (Shepherd’s Mysterious Ways).  Bitch owned by Cathy J. Wolf, DVM.  Mystery is a Cadaver Dog/Search and Rescue and an active member of the Midwest K-9 Emergency Response Team.  She was the first Collie ever to pass the “Land Cadaver” evaluations of the North American Search Dog Network (NASDN).  She has been on eight actual cases/call-outs in 2003.  She was one of four dogs utilized on July 6, 2003 to successfully pinpoint the location of a drowning victim in the Rock River, near Janesville, WI.

2003

Gracie (Shepherd’s Only By Grace, HIC).  Bitch owned by Cathy J. Wolf, DVM.  Gracie is a Tracking/Man-trailing Search and Rescue Dog and an active member of the Midwest K-9 Emergency Response Team.  She was the first Collie ever to pass the Man-trailing levels III, II & I (all levels) evaluations of the North American Search Dog Network (NASDN) (only 2 dogs passed all levels this year, Gracie & a bloodhound).  Gracie has been on four “missing persons” searches in 2003.  One case aided police and was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” TV show.

2003

Duncan (Cobbycove Athol Stillwatch, HIC, BPD, CGC, TDI, VCX).  Dog owned by Gail Sweetland.  Duncan has completed over 200 pet therapy visits, actively dividing his time between a nursing home, a Veterans Hospital and a Hospice for terminally ill patients.  The anticipation of a visit and holiday portrait with Duncan has often motivated Veterans patients to get up and get dressed.  His exemplary Collie temperament shows during these therapy visits, but never more so then when he was in the waiting room of an emergency veterinary hospital and ignored his own pain prior to emergency surgery to comfort the visibly distraught owners of a very sick cat.

2004

Kelso (Admiralty's First Flight UDX, OA, OAP, NAJ, NJP).  Dog owned by Helmut Schleith.  Kelso was the first smooth Collie to earn the AKC UDX obedience title.

2005

Reggie (CT Highcroft Regal Rogue, UD).  Dog owned by Don and Sylvia Schultz.  Reggie is the 1^st Collie to earn the AKC Champion Tracker title.

2005

Lassie Lu (Crystal Blue Lassie Lu, BPD, CGC, TDI, SOC I, VC).  Bitch owned by Dorothy Meyers.  As an unofficial assistance dog, Lassie Lu has helped Dorothy overcome disability and venture out physically and socially into the world again.

2005

Shelby (U-CD, Ch. Rumrunner-Bootlegger-Shelby, UD, R2, NAP, HIC, CGC, TD, VC). Dog owned by Barbara Cudzynowski.  Shelby was the High in Trial dog from the Open B obedience class at the 2004 Collie Club of America trial.

2007

2007

2007

2007

2007

2007

And

Jazz (VCH Fantasy’s Sugar ‘N Spice, CDX, AX, AXJ, FDCh., BPD, CGC, Delta Pet Partner, SOC I, THR II).  Bitch owned by Nancy & Vince Dragotta.  Tyler and Jazz were the first Collies to earn AWCA’s Therapy Dog I (THR I) title, and they did so concurrently.  From the AWCA Therapy Dog Program brochure, “This work requires considerable ongoing training.  When making Therapy Dog visits to a healthcare facility, the dog is working under command, handled by or under the direct supervision of a currently credentialed healthcare professional to bring about therapeutic results for clients.  Therapy Dog work goes beyond social visits, although socializing may be part of the visit.”  Nancy is a physical therapist and designs exercises for her patients’ therapy sessions that involve her dogs.  She described several such exercises in the Spring 2005 issue of Collie Connection.

2007

2010

1998

Amie (U-AGCH, U-CD Victory Hill Moonlight Magic, UDX, CC, CGC, PPI, A-AOM I).  Bitch owned by Ed Bechtel.  First UDX Collie; she is among the highest scoring dogs in the U.S.

1999

Chelsea (Scaandia Kismet’s Absolut, UD, Can. CDX, A-AOM I).  Dog owned by Kristin Thober.  Chelsea was the 1998 Top First and Foremost Obedience System Collie.

2000

Geordie (U-CDX Sunrise Diane Celtic Dream, UDX, CGC, HIC, VC, A-AOM-I).  Dog owned by Judy Cummings.  Geordie was the Top First and Foremost System Obedience Collie for 1999, having over 100 points more than the next ranked Collie.

2002

Cody (MACH, U-ACHX Glen Ellyn Cody, MAD, JM, RM, SM, EAC, EJC, O-OGC, RS-N, FM, HIC, A-AOM I)  Dog owned by Deanne Olsen.  Cody was the #1 Collie in AKC Agility for 2001 with 38,300 points, and 48 qualifying scores!

2003

Culley (Cullen, UDX, OA, OAJ, A-AOM I).  Dog owned by Sally Richardson.  Posthumous Nomination.  Culley was the Top First and Foremost Obedience Collie for 2002.

2004

James Bond (DC DBL-O-Seven Ability At Savoy, HXAsd, HIAc, HIBs, NA, NAJ, OTDc, ATDds, HRDIIIs, HTDIIId, OFA Ex, VX, A-AOM I).  Dog owned by Ericka Wojack.  James Bond was the first smooth Collie to earn an AKC Dual Championship.

2005

Kayla (U-CDX  Stargazer Reflection Of Love UDX, AX, AXJ, NAP, NJP, RN, HIC, TDI, TT, NAC, CL3, CL4-H, CL4-S, CL4-F, OFA-excellent, A-AOM I).  Bitch owned by Sally Richardson.  Kayla was the #1 First and Foremost Obedience Collie for 2004.

Jackson (VCH, U-GRACH5, U-CDX Faithful Promise Keeper, CD, HSAsd, AX, AXJ, OAP, OJP, NFP, RAE, NAC, RS-N, CC, CGC, TDI, AOM).  Dog owned by Tonya Sims.  Jackson is the first Collie to earn the U-GRACH2, 3, 4 and 5 titles (Grand Agility Champion) from UKC.  To earn these titles a dog must qualify in three classes in a single trial with scores within a certain range.  Six times Jackson has had a perfect trial with scores of 200 in each of his three runs.  Jackson holds the record for the most number of perfect GRACH runs of any Collie in history to-date.  He has also earned two invitations to the Agility All-Star Invitational in 2003 for AGI class and in 2006 for AGII class.

Zephyr (VCH, A.T.CH.C, BISS Can/Am CH Signet’s “Way To Go!” Woodruff, Can (CDX, DD, HI, SDI, AgX, AgXJ, RE), Am(CDX, HSAs, RE, NA, NAJ), RX-MCL, STDs, HRD-I, RLF-I, HTAD-I, ExSt Bronze, EAC, TN-E, TG-O, OCC, OJC, HP-N, CGC, CRTX, VX, AOM).  Dog owned by Marilyn Clayton.  Zephyr is the 1^st Collie (rough or smooth) to earn the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Stock Dog Intermediate (SDI) titles, earning a combined High in Trial (HIT) along the way.  He is also the 1^st smooth Collie to earn a CKC Stock Dog Started (SDS) title, earning 2 Reserve HITs.  Zephyr is also the 1^st smooth Collie to earn a CKC Herding Intermediate (HI) title, earning a HIT at that level as well.  All of these three titles were earned in 2009.

2001

Geordie (U-CDX Sunrise Diane Celtic Dream, UDX, CGC, HIC, VC, A-AOM I & II).  Dog owned by Judy Cummings.  Geordie was the Top First and Foremost System Obedience Collie for 2000 with 100 points.

2004

Cody (ADCH MACH3 NATCH U-ACHX Glen Ellyn Cody SACH-Bronze, JCH-Bronze, RCH, SCH-Bronze, TM-Bronze, RS-N, GS-N, FMCH, AOM I & II, HIC, CGC).  Dog owned by Dee Olson.  Cody is the top agility Collie for 2003, per the AWCA criteria.

1996

Bart (Am./Can. Ch., VCH, Can. OTCh., U-UD Hi Vu Black Bart The Skyhawk, UDT, TT, TDI, AGII, SUD).  Dog owned by Jim Smotrell.

1998

Lassie.  (Generations #1-7).  Dog owned by Robert Weatherwax.  Awarded a Certificate of Honor by the US Coast Guard; star of TV and movies; involved in community service drives, he has promoted Red Cross Blood Drives, Treasury Department Stamps Drives, and during his years with the Forest Service, worked with Smokey the Bear to “Keep America Beautiful.”  He was given a plaque recognizing his environmental record; Social/Therapy visits to children’s hospitals.

1998

Quest (Can. Ch. Woodruff’s Windwalker, CD, Can. CDX, FD, CGC, HIC, PT, VCX).  (1/7/87-10/97).  Dog owned by Judy Mitchell & Marilyn Clayton.  Member of Pacific Animal Therapy Soc. For 6 years, visiting Victoria General Hospital’s Children’s Ward, occasional hospice and retirement homes; participated in parades and at mall/pet expos displays; #1 Obedience Collie in Canada in 1991 (Dogs in Canada Award); participated in agility demonstrations before agility was organized in Canada; participated in drill teams with the North Saanich Dog Obedience Club.  They were in numerous July 1 parades (’87-’91); obtained his Herding Instinct Certificate, a PT title (CCA National 1991); first rough Collie to pass a Started test in Canada (’91).  He also worked with sheep in everyday life as his owner, Judy is a shepherd moving hundreds of sheep across Provincial Forestry lands in Northern B.C.

1998

Quincy (U-CD Devinwood’s Master Examiner, Am./Can. CDX, HC, TT, CGC, TDI, O-VCCX, VCX).  Dog owned by Elizabeth Smith.  Over 6 years community service as a Therapy dog visiting nursing homes with the 4-H Pet Therapy Group of Essex County at Daughters of Israel.  His community service also covered grooming, care and obedience at Sunnybank Day in Wayne, Bonnie Brae Day on Millington and Livinston Mall with K-9 OTC; numerous obedience demonstrations for West Caldwell and South Orange Adult School Obedience graduations; carting demonstrations for Bonnie Brae Day, Newton Kennel Club, Midland Run with Thera Pet Group, Turtle Back Zoo Dog Walk in the Park Fundraiser.

1998

Hawk (HTCH, VCH Sunshine’s Night Hawk, Am./Can. CDX, ATDs, CRT, TT, CGC, CC HIC, VWB, n/e, TDI).  Dog owned by Ann-Marie Ely.  He has a lifetime of achievements and has brought honor to the Collie breed for over 13 years.  Hawk earned his VCH with 21 points in 6 categories; 5 High In Trials; the first smooth Collie to earn HX from the AKC; first Collie to earn ATDs (Advanced Trial Dog, sheep) from the Australian Shepherd Club of America.

1998

Wink (Am./Mex. Ch. Trailwinds Bright ‘N Breezy, UDT, PCE (Mex. CDX), TDI, VC).  (1980-1990).  Bitch owned by Sue Larson.  Wink won 6 Group 1’s and an all-breed FIS over 1600 dogs; earned 10 OTCH points her first weekend out after finishing her UD.  She is the only BIS winning Champion UDT Collie in the history of the breed.

1998

Brody (Spice Rack’s Sage Advice, CDX, HC, HT, PT, HS, HTD-I, STD-Id,s, TT, n/e, CGC).  (1988-1998).  Dog owned by Nancy Augustine-Whelan.  In obedience he took many firsts and class placements, and earned a High In Trial; #2 Obedience Collie in 1992 Delaney System; from 1990-97 worked regularly as a Therapy dog at a Methodist Hospital specializing in acute pediatrics and pediatric rehabilitation handled by his owner, a registered nurse.  Together they started a Social Dog visitation program for an adult rehabilitation facility and made numerous Social visits with the elderly in other settings.  From 1990-97 they worked together in a Bite Prevention Program.  Brody received one of the first HT title awards by the AKC.  He was also a working farm dog.

1999

Missy (OTCh. Sunrise Diane’s Delight).  (1/83-1/95).  Bitch owned by Diane Hemphill.  A once in a lifetime obedience Collie whose records have never been equaled by another Collie:  Top Delaney Collie for 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988.  In 1985 she placed 3^rd in Open at the Gaines Classic Obedience Competition.  In 1986 she was #8 in OTCh. points for all breeds.  In 1987 she was #5 in OTCh. points for all breeds; she placed 3^rd in SuperDog at the Gaines Western Regional; she placed 4^th in SuperDog at the Gaines Classic.  In 1988 she was #22 in top lifetime OTCH. points across all breeds; she placed 5^th in SuperDog at the Gaines Classic.  She accumulated 607 Delaney points from the Novice B class in 1984; she earned 734 Delaney points from Open A in 1985; she earned 152 points from Utility A in 1986.  During her lifetime she earned 33 all-breed High In Trial awards, at least 15 High Combined awards, and 1078 OTCh. points.

2000

Gem (VCH Cameo’s Desert Jewel, CDX, CGC, OA, OAC, AD, s/t, NJC, NGC, HIC).  Bitch owned by Connie Jesko.  Gem at age 12 is now retired.  She has had a 12-year career of social/therapy visits, starting at 7 weeks of age with her littermates.  During her career as a social therapy dog, she has also trained new puppies on visits.  For 4 years Gem was Connie’s demo dog at the obedience classes she taught for the city of Peoria, AZ.  Over the years Gem has done many agility and obedience demo’s at schools, city of Phoenix, and dog shows.  In Gem’s twilight years, she has taken up a new career - modeling!

2001

Robbie (VCH, U-UD Tartanside Metropolitan, UD, Can. & ASCA CDX, NA, NAJ, JV-N, NJC-V, HIC, TT, BPDX, CGC, TDI, O-VCCX).  Dog owned by Elizabeth M. Smith.  Robbie has been a Social Therapy Dog for 10 years.  He just completed his visits for the TDIA title.  He has participated in community events:  Adult Continuing Education Obedience programs graduations to encourage people to continue training their dogs; he has marched with Thera Pet Group in the last 3 St. Patrick’s Day parades in Woodbridge to promote therapy dogs; he has participated in their Fun Fairs; he has participated in events in parks to promote training of dogs; he has led the Dog Walk Against Cancer; he has been at several demonstrations at public schools.  The most recent was at Albert Payson Terhune School’s 35^th Anniversary (June 2001).  At the Livingstone Library, he participates in a yearly program for challenged adults.  Currently, he is active in a new program at the Parsippany Library where children improve their reading skills by reading to a dog.  Robbie has also garnered a list of performance achievements in Obedience and Agility, earning two UDs (AKC & UKC) and three CDXs (AKC, CKC, & ASCA).  He has 6 UDX legs and some OTCH points.  He has participated in a Gaines Regional Obedience Tournament (1993), and he was invited to the AKC National Obedience Invitational Competition in 2001.  He has been in the top ten ratings in Novice, Open, and Utility as listed in the CCA Bulletin and Collie Expressions.  He received an Obedience Award, 5^th place for a rough Collie by Dogs in Canada (1996).  He is now retired from the Agility and Obedience arena, but he continues his Social Therapy and Community Service.

2002

Amie (VCH, U-UD, U-ACH Victory Hill Moonlight Magic, UDX, OA, CGC, CC, AOM-I, AOM-II)  Bitch owned by Ed Bechtel.  November 11, 1989-November 17, 2001.  Amie was the 1st UDX Collie, the 1st AWCA CC (Conformation Certified) Collie (male or female), and the recipient of the AWCA AOM-I in 1996 followed by an AOM-II in 1998.  She was a 1993 Front and Finish Super Utility Dog, and received a Certificate of Distinction.  She was among the highest scoring dogs in the nation.  In 1994, she made the First and Foremost rating system.  She became an AWCA Versatility Champion in 1999.  Amie was honored with an invitation to participate in the National Obedience Invitational in St. Louis in 1997.  Not one to rest on her laurels, Amie was a local star appearing in over 150 commercials spanning a 2-year period for the Doenges Ford Agency (a large auto agency in Tulsa, OK).  She was also featured on several billboards and the World Wide Web.  Her popularity led her to being the subject of a short special on local CBS station’s evening news.  She was deemed, “The dog that had the most beautiful face on TV.”  Unlike most stars, Amie didn’t rest on her celebrity, either.  She was an active therapy dog bringing smiles and uplifting spirits to the many she visited in hospitals, rest homes, and homes for the mentally handicapped.  She also made numerous public and private school visits.  Amie – a perfect example of true Collie heart and ability.

2002

Aspen (Agapie Caibor Country Girl, CDX, A-AOM, CGC, TT, TDI, SAR, Fire Safety Dog).  Bitch owned by Deborah J. King.  Aspen began as a Ring Sport Collie, and did ring sport and obedience demos at colleges, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and before scout troops.  She also worked with handicapped children during their therapy sessions, encouraging them to use their therapy ball, crawl, and say her name for a kiss!  In all, Aspen has volunteered over 150 hours as a therapy dog at Maine Medical.  She earned her CD, CDX, CGC, and TT, and went into training as a SAR (Search and Rescue) dog.  Aspen took part in a filming by the Children’s Miracle Network of Maine Medical’s pediatrics floor.  She also modeled with a young boy for an ad for Palaprin (PharmX, Inc.), an animal health product to help relieve pain from arthritis, injury, or joint problems.  Aspen was recruited by the Westbrook Fire Dept. in Maine to be their mascot/fire safety dog to help educate others about fires.  In this role, she visited schools to teach children what to do in case of fire and has over 1280 volunteer hours in this capacity.  The children were taught to stop, drop, and roll, and to crawl under the smoke, all demonstrated by Aspen.  Over a few years, these visits significantly reduced the number of fires started by kids, local news picked up the story, and film crews caught Aspen in action.  Aspen has also been doing fire safety demos for eight years at the Pine Tree Burn Conference.  During the 1998 conference, she met Jose Desilva, a visiting fireman from Portugal.  Jose videotaped Aspen’s fire safety demo, and wanted to take Aspen’s program back to Portugal with him.  In 1999, Mr. Desilva and the Portuguese government invited Aspen and Debbie to Portugal to help them initiate a fire safety program of their own.  Aspen is now a senior citizen, but the Pine Tree Burn Conference has asked her to continue attending the conference as long as she can.  In November 2001, Aspen, at the age of 11 years, was called out to help search for a lost boy.  She worked for over 8 hours in extreme wet, cold, and windy weather, and was instrumental in the boy’s recovery.  At the age of 11½, she made her final appearance at both the Collie Club of Maine and the Collie Club of New Hampshire where she placed in Veterans obedience.  She is now enjoying retirement.

2002

Imp (VCH, Can. OTCh., U-CDX, U-AGII Bru-Mar’s Illusion Of S.R., UD, CGC, HIC, TDI, Delta Dog).  Dog owned by Bruce and Mary Berg.  1994-2002.  Imp earned many obedience titles during his career, starting with a CGC at 6 months and finishing with both the American and Canadian UD (Can. OTCh.).  He was the #1 Collie in Open and Utility in 1999 in Canada.  He received Front and Finish’s Super Utility Award (for dogs that have earned 3 sets of qualifying scores in both Open and Utility at the same show), as well as High Combined and High in Trial awards.  After obedience, agility caught Bruce’s interest, and he and Imp pursued titles in UKC agility.  They traveled around the country giving agility and obedience demonstrations.  Imp was also very active as a therapy dog, participating in the Lake County Mental Health Association’s “Power Paws,” which is a  program certified through the Delta Pet Partners Society.  Imp’s assignment was to work with a group of 8 people with schizophrenia, seeing them on a weekly basis.  Because of all of his activities, Imp was awarded AWCA’s VCH title earlier this year, shortly before his death at age 8.

2003

Bandit (Ch., OTCh. Ciera Crystal Blu Persuasion, UDX, CGC, HIC, TC, BPDX, A-AOM I, VCX).  Bitch owned by Chris Inouye.  Posthumous Nomination.  Bandit was one of only a few Collies to have earned the Champion and OTCh. titles.  She won 14 all-breed High in Trials and 14 High Combined awards.  She is the 2^nd highest Collie in total lifetime OTCh. points earned (153).  She participated in therapy visits to nursing homes, public relations demonstrations for obedience and carting, Scottish Festivals, including marching in the opening ceremonies, and appeared in print ads and videos for canine clothing and a Japanese dog training school.

2003

Payton (U-AGI, U-CDX Heather’s Payton of Thetford, CD, CGC, PT, NA, OAJ, NJC, NGC, OJC, TN-N, JHD, FDCH, TDI, Pet Partners).  Dog owned by Heather Lake.  Posthumous Nomination.  Payton saved his home and family by alerting his owner to a house fire in the middle of the night.  He had 5 years of service as a therapy dog at Duke Children’s Hospital making him the longest working therapy dog at the hospital.  He took part in numerous flyball, agility and herding demos.  After Payton was diagnosed with lymphoma he continued to successfully compete in performance events and went on to complete his FDCH, OJC and TN-N.

2003

Radar, Registered Service Dog.  Dog owned by Merle Farber.  Until having to be retired at the age of 12 due to arthritis, Radar was a constant companion and service dog for his disabled owner.  He worked full time for over 10 years providing assistance to his owner with the daily activities associated with independent living, including:  Walker Dog Work, helping his owner to balance when she walked, supporting her as she transferred from the wheelchair to the bed, etc.; Retrieve Work, retrieved daily items such as phones, keys, and fine retrieving (coins, credit cards, etc.); Draft Work, carrying his owner’s essential items in his backpack.  He continues to make occasional public appearances with Merle as an ambassador and representative for the Service Dog Community, educating audiences on the benefits of Service Dogs.

2003

Leo (Lochlomund’s Leo, CDX, TT, CGC, HIT, “Pet Pal” (Children’s Hospital Therapy Dog), TDI, Registered Service Dog).  Dog owned by Dorothy Eller.  Posthumous Nomination.  For 12 of his 14 years, Leo was a constant companion and service dog for his owner who was severely injured and disabled in an accident.  He provided daily assistance, balance and support, visual depth perception, assisted with daily tasks, fine motor pick-up and other actions that allowed his owner to lead an independent lifestyle.  He saved her from a serious accident when a car in a parking lot backed up into her on her blind side.  Leo leaped onto the back of the car, seriously injuring himself in the process, but successfully alerting the driver to their presence and averting injury to his owner.  Leo also was an active therapy dog, visiting nursing homes and hospitals where he offered comfort and often a bright spot in a patient’s day.  On one visit at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, by request of a dying child’s family, he lay quietly on the bed with a 9-year-old boy who had always loved “Lassie.”  Leo stayed by the boy’s side until the child died.

2005

Sir Austin (Ch. Marko’s Aatuk Blue Austin, Reg. Service Dog).  Dog owned by Jean Levitt.  Sir Austin was a professional assistance dog for Jean and specialized in draft work.  He assisted Jean by performing walker dog services, carrying items in his backpack and pulling a cart to assist with moving items.  He also served as an assistance dog educator; traveling over 200,000 miles of in-cabin flights over the continents of North America, Europe and Africa.  In this capacity he represented the assistance dog community.  He and Jean were designated citizen ambassadors under the auspices of the U.S. Dept. of State.  Bred by Marie Markovich, Sir Austin is the sire and grandsire of champions.

Sugar.  Bitch owned by Michelle Tennis.  Sugar was born with cyclic hematopoiesis, a rare disease that occurs both in children and grey Collie dogs.  At 10 weeks of age, Sugar went to live at the Pediatric Research Facility at the University of Washington to be part of a treatment project that they were undertaking.  She was with them for 3 years and during that time she was not only cured, but also because of the treatment research they were able to do with her, they established a new treatment for human children which enables them to live longer, healthier lives with this disease.  Sugar was returned home at 3 years of age and lived a normal life before succumbing to unrelated liver cancer at 5 years of age.

Laddie (Country Pride Laddie).  Dog owned by Kristin Hartness Law.  Laddie was the first formally trained Walker Balance Dog by the National Education Assistant Dogs Service (NEADS).  Laddie worked with Kristin as her Walker/Balance Assistance dog, allowing her extended mobility and support to counter the limitations she experienced due to symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.  Due to Laddie’s gift of independence to Kristin, she branched into a new line of work educating communities across the nation about assistance dogs.  Together, Kristin and Laddie traveled the country by plane, train, bus and car to speak to students and adults, veterans and civilians about the role Laddie and dogs like him play in bringing independence to those living with disabilities.  Due to Laddie’s example, he has influenced others to seek assistance dogs of their own, inspired children to learn about disabilities and the variety of tools people can use to overcome them, encouraged others to become involved with and help raise and train assistance dogs, and inspired assistance dog trainers to develop a curriculum with a higher standard of excellence for his work area.  He did all this while overcoming his own disability; Laddie is blind in his right eye, and overcame the challenge of working on Kristin’s right side, where she needed him most.  He is now retired, having first trained a new dog (another smooth Collie) to take his place by Kristin’s side.