Nominate an Animal to the Hall of Fame • View the Winners • 14th Annual Luncheon

Companion Category
Awarded to “Murphy”, an 8 year old African Grey parrot who illustrates that the human-animal bond is a powerful motivator. She provides comfort and motivation to her owner, Linda, on her “bad days” as Linda has multiple sclerosis. She also gives Linda’s mom, Florence, who is afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, reason to get up in the morning and smile. Murphy’s personality, antics and sensitivity have even helped Florence eliminate her need for medication to control her mood swings and depression. Murphy is the first bird to ever be inducted into the NJVF Animal Hall of Fame.

Owner: - Linda Schiavello
Veterinarian: - Dr. Warren Briggs

Click here for video of the Companion Category winner Get Quicktime

Hero Category
New Jersey Task Force One. This team receives an award for their search and rescue efforts during the WTC disaster. These animals fearlessly searched through burned debris, ignoring burnt paws, cuts and other obstacles to look for survivors and victims. For their unselfish and courageous efforts, the team earned induction into the Animal Hall of Fame.

The team consists of “Ana” Atlas; “Senta” Bacalaglu; “Claire” & “Blitz” Clemmo; “Chewbacca” Holmes; “Mikey” & “Osa” LoPresti; “Nutmeg” & “Sarge” Pittore; “Argus” Rolando; "Quest” Sullivan; “Piper” Whynman Owners -- Sarah Atlas; Dan Bacalaglu; Lorrie Clemmo; Alice Holmes; Laura LoPResti; Spring & Pat Pittore; Bob Rolando; Penny Sullivan; Sonny Whynman

Veterinarians -- Drs. Karen Dashfield and Martha O'Rourke

Click here for video of the Hero Category winners Get Quicktime


Therapy Category
Awarded to Gaylin, a husky/retriever mix, rescued from the streets of Trenton. Gaylin has a resume of volunteer credits -- from giving dyslexic children a calm and non-judgmental environment to practice reading aloud to visiting children at the Katzenbach School for the Deaf where he is the model for a humane education program.

Owner -- Cheryl Mills
Veterinarian -- Patti Maslanka<

Click here for video of the Therapy Category winner Get Quicktime

 

Professional Category
 This award goes to the Union Country Sheriff’s Search & Rescue K-9 Unit. They are recognized for their search and rescue efforts during the WTC disaster, for their devotion to their jobs and their human partners and for the extremely close personal bonds the handlers and the dogs have developed.

The unit consists of “Champ” Malcolm; “Git Ander” Gillespie (posthumous); “Johnny” Way; “Lando” Aversa; “Udo” Howarth; “Hauso” Woelpper Owners: Ron Malcolm; John Gillespie; Brian Way; Chris Aversa; Brian Howarth; Robert Woelpper

Veterinarian: Ira Niedweske

Click here for video of the Professional Category winners Get Quicktime

Animal Welfare
This inaugural award, designed to honor individuals who work to improve the care and dignity of animals, goes to Adele Daniels. Adele is a New Jersey transit police officer who opens her home and pocketbook to cats with severe physical ailments or deformities that others might deem “unadoptable," giving them a chance for life and love. She says her cats give back way more love, affection and devotion than people could ever give them.

Veterinarian: Marguerite Hoey

Click here for video of the Animal Welfare winner Get Quicktime

 

View Past Hall of Fame winners

 


Return to NJVMA.org