Veteran’s dog honored as “Dog of the Year”
Army Sgt. Clay Rankin’s dog, Archie, was named 2009 Dog of the Year by the ASPCA.
Rankin suffered spinal injuries in Iraq, and Archie, who has been his service dog for four years, helps him cope with the aftermath of his war experience – post-traumatic stress disorder, physical challenges and difficulty with crowds, according to the Dallas Morning News.
“I think it was well deserved,” Rankin, who lives in West Virginia, said after accepting the award in New York City on behalf of Archie, an 8-year-old black Lab. “I think he’s Hero of the Year.”
“Archie’s loyalty and perseverance in helping Sgt. Rankin accomplish his daily tasks has allowed the veteran to regain his confidence and independence, move forward with his life and continue serving the country he loves,” the ASPCA noted.
Others recognized at the ASPCA awards ceremony were four men from Missouri who worked on the frontlines of the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history; Alayne Marker, who along with her husband, Steve Smith, runs the Rolling Dog Ranch for disabled animals in Ovando, Montana; and Monica Plumb of Powhatan County, Virginia, who raised funds to purchase pet oxygen masks for fire departments across the country.
Posted by jwoestendiek November 10th, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: archie, army, aspca, awards, clay rankin, dog of the year, dogs, iraq, labrador retriever, monica plumb, rolling dog ranch, sergeant, service dog, sgt., veteran, wounded warriors
