VERO BEACH — It’s hard not to grin when watching a group of dogs frolicking together leash-free, running around at top speed; stopping only long enough to take time out for a good back roll in the grass. Dog lovers all, the honorees, volunteers and friends who gathered for the 2011 Dogs for Life Donor, Member and Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony on Saturday were all happily enjoying the playful display.
While Dogs for Life (DFL) may be best known for its 4 ½-acre off-leash park, its true mission is working to improve the lives of others by training service, pet-assisted therapy and companion dogs. DFL is now also accredited by Assistance Dogs International to certify veterans service dogs so that their owners may qualify for cost assistance from the Veterans Administration.
After welcoming guests, Shelly Ferger, DFL founder and executive director, noted some of the organization’s highlights for the previous year and introduced guest speaker Steve Higgins, vice president with Bob Carter Companies and a board member on the Indian River County Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Higgins spoke about what he calls LIV, which stands for Leadership, Impact and Vision, saying, “Success or failure comes down to leadership; that’s the true game changer.”
He advised volunteers to articulate the impact the organization’s programs and initiatives have on the community and added, “Each of you should have your own Dogs for Life story that demonstrates the impact that Dogs for Life is having on your community.”
“This is by far my favorite event of the year,” said Al Turner, DFL board president 2009-2011 who presented the awards.
Suzie and Jeff Gomes of Beech Annuals and Coast to Coast Landscaping were presented with the Corporate Philanthropist Award for their generous contributions to the landscaping surrounding the Memorial Pavilion and Garden.
Nancy McCusker and her golden retriever Buford were presented with the Pet Assisted Therapy Dog Team Award for their work with the Mental Health Association where pats-loving Buford has become their mascot.
One of the advantages to working as the Society Editor for Vero Beach 32963 and VeroNews.com is the opportunity to learn about the noteworthy accomplishments of our local non-profits and the remarkable people they serve. I was honored to receive the DFL Journalism Award for a June, 2011 story on the DFL veterans’ service dog initiative.
Eleanor Bengyak, a stalwart supporter and DFL board of directors since 2008, was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award. She and dog Mitzi are a Pet Assisted Therapy Dog Team, and she has also coordinated several fundraising bridge tournaments.
WQCS Public Affairs Specialist Jill Roberts received the Broadcast Media Award for helping to spread the word through her stories, broadcast on WQCS and Florida Public Radio, particularly her award winning piece on Winks Kremer and Bun, a DFL Hearing and Service Dog Team.
Robert Bowman, accompanied by his little Schnauzer Robbie, received the Individual Philanthropist Award. Bowman has supported every DFL fundraising appeal, and to date is the largest contributor to the Dog Park Training Center Capital Campaign.
The Assistance Dog Team of the Year Award was presented to the DFL Certified Hearing and Service Dog team of Norine Coody and Abby, a little black dog with big soulful brown eyes who she adopted from the Humane Society. Using the skills learned by working with Abby, Coody is now an active volunteer trainer.
David Johnson, DFL 2012 president, presented the Past President’s Award to Al Turner for his tireless support, commenting not only on his fundraising efforts, but also saying, “He has given us as a board and as an organization, the confidence to build the Training Center.”
Once completed, the Dog Park Training Center will increase Dog for Life’s ability to train service, companion and therapy dogs, and will provide a physical headquarters for staff and volunteers.
