2000 Beyond Limits™ Award Winners
Four very special animals and their human partners were selected as winners of Delta Society's annual Beyond Limits™ Awards as service animal and therapy animal teams of the year for 2000-2001. The winners were honored at Delta's 19th annual conference held as part of the Tufts Animal Expo 2000 in Boston October 10-14, 2000.
The Beyond Limits Awards recognize animals that enrich the lives of the people they touch, sharing the love resulting from the human-animal bond. The Service Animal of the Year award recognizes animals that are specially trained to help people with disabilities to overcome barriers and achieve greater independence. The Therapy Animal of the Year award recognizes those animals performing exemplary services in their communities, by working through Delta's visiting Pet Partners® program and Animal-Assisted Therapy services.
- Therapy Animal Award Winners.
- Donna Francis and Lucky of Sherman, Texas.
- Megan Wolf and Zorro of Seattle, Washington. Video of Megan and Zorro
- Service Animal Award Winners.
- Mary Sexton and Mame of Seattle, Washington.
- Marybeth Waltman and Sable of Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
Therapy Animal
Donna Francis and Lucky
Donna believes that her cat Lucky was born for therapy animal work, both in spite of and because of his own disabilities - only one eye and a cleft palate. Donna teaches hearing-impaired children, and Lucky comes along once a week to help. Special lessons and writing contests starring Lucky help motivate the children to learn and participate. "Lucky's most important job is teaching the children and others about accepting differences," says Donna, "their own and those of other people, as well." Indeed, one of Donna's hearing-impaired students went home one day and described Lucky in detail, saying "…he only has one eye, but that's OK, Daddy. He's different, just like me." Donna and Lucky also visit the Reba McEntire Center for Rehabilitation in Denison, where he walks on a leash from room-to-room and brings smiles and happiness for all.
Photo credit: Gay Glazbrook.
Megan Wolf and Zorro -
Megan first met Zorro when she was volunteering at the animal shelter where Zorro had been sent - twice. This large, black mixed-breed bundle of happy energy was just too much to handle, they said. Megan rescued him, and she (and he) soon proved the skeptics wrong. Thanks to his partner, Zorro now brings a lot of joy into peoples' lives. He works in animal assisted therapy, helping developmentally delayed and autistic children. He visits extended care facilities, entertaining the residents as a member of "Paw Pals." And Zorro is a star in the world of flyball, appearing all over the country as a member of a championship canine team. "When people hear of Zorro's background, they often say how lucky he was to get a good home," says Megan. "I know that I am the lucky one. Zorro is truly a gift."
Photo credit: Rich Frishman
Service Animal
Mary Sexton and Mame
In spite of her battles with cerebral palsy and lupus, Mary has a wonderful zest for life, and Mame is a perfect partner for her. Mame, an energetic, intelligent 11-year-old Golden retriever, accompanies and encourages Mary as she bicycles, skates, skis, and tends to her community garden plot. Mame's warmth and exuberance have also helped Mary battle back from health setbacks. The two of them make television appearances, and give presentations to schools, philanthropic organizations and church groups, demonstrating how service dogs promote greater independence. "Mame has shown me that one's true worth is measured from the heart, rather than from the outside," says Mary. "While she has earned the maturity of a white face, she has added an immeasurable amount of color to my life."
Photo credit: Jerry Davis.
Marybeth Waltman and Sable
Her daily duties include opening doors, pushing elevator buttons and retrieving dropped objects, but Sable has also saved Marybeth's life on three occasions of respiratory crises. Marybeth is affected with spinal muscular atrophy, and uses a wheelchair; on regular duty, Sable enables Marybeth to participate fully in employment, social and community endeavors. Marybeth and her husband, Jim, are board members for East Coast Assistance Dogs, and work with "at-risk" children to help train potential service dogs. Marybeth works for the Social Security Administration, where Sable helps brighten the work place and lift the spirits of everyone she encounters. "Sable has extended my boundaries and freedom by lifting away barriers," says Marybeth. "She is a vital part of who I am - we are one."
