2009 Awards for Excellence

Hero Animal Award - “Buddy” of Lovelaceville, KY
Sponsored by Invisible Fence Company of Greater Louisville

Jason Breiding first met his Hero Animal when the puppy was only 2-3 weeks old. The discarded puppy was found whimpering in a plastic bag inside a dumpster on November 8, 2005. Jason took good care of the little brindle pup, and Jason’s family welcomed the new addition they named Buddy. Having worked as a dog trainer, Jason admits that Buddy was a handful at times, but quickly became a trusted member of the family. Disaster struck the Breiding household in October 2008. While Jason was cooking, a grease fire flared out of control. Jason’s wife, Heather, grabbed their infant son and ran from their home as Jason tried to extinguish the flames. Thinking only of putting the fire out, Jason assumed his wife had taken both children from the burning house. Through the smoke, Jason saw Buddy pulling his 18-month-old daughter by the diaper. Buddy brought the toddler to Jason, who grabbed his child and his dog and ran for safety. Within minutes, the Breiding home was gone. Although many people have been surprised to learn that Buddy is a mix of Chow-Chow and pit bull, heroes come in all forms. For his heroic deed in saving a member of his family, we honor Buddy and thank Jason for saving Buddy’s life.

Samara, Jason & Buddy
Jonathan Wright, Blackdog Photography

Road Warrior Award - Ms. Molly Quinn of Ft. Wayne, IN
Sponsored by An Anonymous Benefactor

Not many people know what a transport coordinator does. Let’s put it this way - if a rescue group in Minnesota is willing to take 15 death row dogs from a Kentucky shelter, how do the dogs get to Minnesota? Enter Molly Quinn, an expert in coordinating the transfer of adoptable animals. For the past 4 years, this middle-school teacher from northern Indiana has spent nearly every waking moment (and many sleeping moments, as well) pulling animals off the execution line. Molly’s contacts include hundreds of people in dozens of states, and all are willing to jump in the car when Molly needs drivers for her Freedom Train. Molly monitors every leg of the transport run, and each driver calls her when they hand the dogs off to the next volunteer driver. Her efforts saved 281 animals in the first 10 months of 2008 alone. What makes this so unusual is that very few of the drivers have ever met Molly. Her communications are made via email and each plea demonstrates her passion, commitment and sense of humor. Because Molly’s volunteer efforts are so different from what others do, the Award Judges created this award just for her. If you can spend an hour on a weekend to drive a dog to safety, Molly wants to meet you. Please take a moment to thank Molly Quinn for her extraordinary contribution to animal welfare.

Sharon Mayes of Shamrock Foundation Presents Molly's Award
Jonathan Wright, Blackdog Photography

Trooper Community Service Award - Ms. Kelly Hamilton of Bluegrass Boxer Rescue
Sponsored by Mr. Jeff Seidenfaden and "Trooper"

Have you ever met someone who just won’t give up? Have you met a person with a heart so tender that they can never say “no” to an animal in need? No matter what the circumstances, Kelly Hamilton will never give up on any Boxer for any reason. She shares her home with 20-25 Boxers who are in transition from neglect to loving, permanent families. Kelly will not deny any dog the chance for love, regardless of its special needs. Her foster dogs can be blind, deaf, crippled or geriatric. She has picked up Boxers at high-kill shelters at 3am to save their lives, and these lucky dogs understand her compassion. During the first 10 months of 2008, Kelly helped Bluegrass Boxer Rescue place 108 Boxers into permanent homes. As an officer for the Louisville Metro Police Department, Kelly has sometimes been financially challenged to feed and train this many dogs, but her determination is unwavering. Kelly simply loves her Boxers and nothing will deter her from giving them the best possible lives. Please join us in recognizing her outstanding accomplishments in animal rescue.

Kelly Hamilton & Jeff Seidenfaden
Jonathan Wright, Blackdog Photography

Animal Professional Award - Mr. James Collins, Shelby Co. Animal Shelter
Sponsored by Feeders Supply Company

It’s not every day you meet an animal control officer like James Collins. As a matter of fact, it’s a very special event. James is dedicated to making Shelby County KY a NO-KILL county, which means that no adoptable animal will be euthanized. This undertaking is much larger than most of us realize. Working with the Shelby County Humane Society, various rescue groups, and no-kill shelters in other states, James is achieving that goal. Although it sounds simple, these are the facts: James spends dozens of hours each week getting to know the animals in his shelter. Then he spends a few dozen more hours describing these animals to rescue groups that can save their lives and place them in appropriate homes. On top of that, he’ll spend more hours developing new contacts or driving animals to rescue on his days off. To James, each animal is a very special individual whose life is as important as his own. His email pleas reach thousands of individuals. This takes a level of compassion and dedication that is unequalled in his profession. Please join us in honoring James Collins, an outstanding animal control officer.

James Collins
Jonathan Wright, Blackdog Photography

Service Animal Award - “Cricket” Weller and Paula Weller
Sponsored by Purrrfect Pet Bakery

Divine intervention must have brought Cricket and Paula together, because Cricket had a very difficult start in life. Cricket’s previous owner suffered from dementia, which resulted in Cricket being abused. When Paula took in this terrified toy poodle, it took years to gain Cricket’s trust. When Cricket was ready to move to the next level, Paula joined WAGS, a local animal assisted therapy organization. Cricket was ready to share her inherent good nature and loving spirit. She was ready for the complex training and testing procedures, and became a certified therapy dog. Cricket and Paula spend their evenings and weekends visiting nursing homes, Alzheimer’s centers, seriously ill children, psychiatric facilities and hospice programs, where they are welcomed with enthusiasm and open arms. Cricket is always willing to sit in laps, be petted and dance for treats. At one nursing facility, Cricket visited a patient whose chart listed the patient as “non-verbal”. Cricket got into bed with the patient and started snuggling. The patient began petting the little dog and began to speak to Cricket. The staff verified that this patient had not spoken for a long time, yet she spoke to this tiny therapy dog. Cricket has traveled a long road from being an abused puppy to becoming a gracious and gentle therapist. She gives her gifts of hope and love to all she meets.

Sherry Wise of Purrrfect Pet Bakery
Jonathan Wright, Blackdog Photography

Youth Service Award - Ms. Jessica Yepko and Ms. Kate Mikan
Sponsored by The Louisville Pet Lover’s Expo

Although this award was intended for one youth volunteer, Kate and Jessica are always mentioned in the same breath. One name is never spoken without the other, and these two girls work as an efficient and competent team. When they were 12 years old, Jessica and Kate began volunteering at adoption days for Woodstock Animal Foundation. They walked dogs, brushed cats, cleaned cages, scooped litter boxes and gladly performed any task needed. By age 13, both were fostering animals. Between these girls and their families, at least 50 animals have found loving homes. Kate and Jessica’s hearts belong to the animals. At the tender age of 14, when most teenagers would rather be going to football or basketball games with their friends, Jess and Kate began volunteering at spay/neuter clinics. They learned how to sterilize surgical instruments, wrap surgery packs, and recover dogs and cats after surgery. Their parents even allowed them to travel to remote clinics in outlying counties, and they have been to the mountains in Eastern Kentucky several times. Now at age 16, this pair has worked at 35 clinics where nearly 1200 animals were sterilized. Their quick smiles and good natures endear them to everyone, and we are pleased to honor Kate and Jessica as outstanding youth volunteers.

Kate Mikan & Jessica Yepko
Jonathan Wright, Blackdog Photography

Media Advocacy Award Winner - Mr. Leland Conway, WLAP Radio Lexington KY
Sponsored by Feeders Supply Company

Probably the best news for Kentucky’s animals last year was the passage of Romeo’s Law by the Kentucky legislature. Romeo’s Law made the torture of a dog or cat a Class D felony offense. Without grassroots public support and constant media attention to the plight of our state’s animals, this milestone could not have been achieved. Mr. Leland Conway hosts the talk radio show “The Pulse” on WLAP radio in Lexington. He opened his show as a public forum to invite legislators and individuals to discuss the topics of animal cruelty and how to solve the problem. He served as emcee for a statewide rally in Frankfort, and kept pressure on key legislators and committee chairs to encourage hearings and votes. Mr. Conway encouraged and motivated his listening audience to make hundreds of calls to their elected officials. Romeo’s Law passed and was signed into law by Governor Beshear on April 28, 2008. Leland Conway is a champion for all animals and is most deserving of the Media Advocacy Award.

Kelly Hamilton
Bluegrass Boxer Rescue

Kim Stevens

David Hall of New Albany-Floyd
County Animal Shelter

Molly Quinn

Sherri Marcoski
Pet Groups United President

Rebecca Eaves

Michele Culp of Wingspan of Ky &
Humane Society of Oldham County