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FSSA's 2007
Service Dog Award Winner
CH Maplesugar Calvin CDX VCD1 RE CGC TDIA TT
DOB 3/13/1996
Owner/Handler: Shannon Rodgers
Nominated by breeder: Cheryl Benedict |
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I would like to nominate Calvin (with his partner Shannon) for 2007 service dog of
the year award. For 7 years they have been visiting facilities in Ames and Des Moines
including nursing homes, youth shelters, assisted living communities, special needs
children, libraries, schools, a hospice home and occasional approved hospital visits.
One of the nursing homes is called Calvin Community, where Calvin is “their special
dog”. They have documented more than 50 visits to be the first male Field Spaniel to
complete the TDIA. Shannon told me recently about some of their work.
“Calvie
thoroughly enjoys his friends and holds positions for all of the petting and
attention. It is a social therapy that allows people to connect and communicate. A
therapy dog must be mellow and accepting of various people and equipment, and
handlers work to facilitate social interaction. We meet all types of people with
varying abilities, and it is amazing to see how careful Calvin is according to their
needs, whether it's an elderly person with limited mobility, an enthusiastic but
troubled teen, or an awkward child unsure of animals. He has always known how to be
for each individual, and pulled a few heartstrings among staff and caregivers along
the way.
Calvin has made many friends along the way in our therapy work, and I will always
remember beautiful moments with those who were also touched by this special dog...
Looking forward to visiting our elderly French friend who discusses my "bon chien"
while her trembling hands stroke his long silky ears...How Calvie laid stock still
when placed on an elevated bed for the man in hospice who wanted this brown dog to
lay next to him and keep his mind off the pain. We miss the dementia patient and how
she'd dip her head to feel his nose with her sensitive face. Calvin displays infinite
patience with young children, holding steady as they feel his soft liver coat.
Calvin is always polite in his meetings and specializes in one-on-one therapy for
the people who can't get out of their rooms. He has very gentle snuffles and a
soulful gaze, and his friends appreciate his ever wagging tail and obedient demeanor
in all situations. Calvie not only tolerates but enjoys his costumes and performs the
occasional trick for his fans. This is always in proper taste and humor - amazing how
a Fieldie can balance the impishness with the dignity!”
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The purpose of this award is to recognize and encourage Field Spaniels and their
owners who are involved in service work. This is an annual award that will be presented at
the club's awards banquet. The award will be a plaque or other suitable object upon which the
name of the dog earning the award and the year shall be inscribed. The award will be given
to the owner of the dog.
Rules for Award:
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Service dog means a living Field Spaniel, or Field Spaniel
who died during the year of nomination, who works, or has worked in one of the following areas:
therapy dog, special companion to the disabled, search & rescue, hearing dog, in special functions
for police or fire organizations, or similar service-to-mankind endeavors.
Nominations for this award shall be made by any FSSA member.
The owner of the dog need not be a member of the FSSA.
Nominations shall include the name of the dog, the name and
mailing address of the dog's owner, name and address of the person nominating the dog, the name
of the breeder, a photo of the dog, and a description of the service activity performed by the
dog. Descriptive information shall be limited to one double spaced 8.5 x 11 letter size
page. *Nominations shall be sent to the FSSA Secretary. Sender of the nomination material
shall be responsible for confirming its timely receipt by the Secretary.
Nominations shall be made from January 1 through February 28
for the prior calendar year. The Secretary shall place an announcement of the application
process in the FSSA newsletter in a timely fashion.
Nominations and related information shall be sent to the FSSA
Board of Directors who shall vote by secret ballot, solely upon the written information provided,
and without discussion of the merit of any of the nominations. Should only one nomination
be made, that nominee automatically becomes the award winner, and no vote shall be required.
Should there be a tied vote, the vote shall be held again with consideration given only to those
nominees tied by vote for the award. Should a second vote again result in a tie, and there
are only two nominees under consideration, both nominees shall be declared the "Field Spaniel
Service Dog of the Year."
A dog may earn this award only once.
The award winner shall be announced during the annual awards
banquet of the club, with a reading of the nomination information of the dog so awarded.
The owner of the dog need not be present. The award and a congratulatory letter shall be
mailed to the recipient as soon as is practical following the announcement of the award.
The nomination information submitted about the award winning
dog and the photo shall be published in the FSSA newsletter following the presentation of the
award.
The FSSA has a comprehensive award program that
is a benefit of membership in the club.
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