Meet the 2014 Hero Dogs: Part 3
Robin hosts the third of her four-part series interviewing the eight 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards finalists. Up first is Michelle Krawczyk, the mom of JJ, winner of the Service Dog category. Michelle’s daughter KK has been diagnosed with a rare disease and JJ is able to use her powerful nose to alert Michelle when KK’s life might be in danger. Later in the show, Denise Corliss is interviewed about Bretagne, winner of the Search and Rescue Category. Bretagne has had a long, distinguished career, including a deployment to Ground Zero in the days after 9/11, now retired, she has a new job: teaching kids to read.
BIO:
Michelle Krawczyk and JJ
Once a shelter dog, this small hero was rescued, trained, and partnered with a young girl suffering from a rare condition known as Mastocytosis, which can cause severe reactions for her. This dog with the gifted nose can detect when reactions are about to occur, alerting the girl’s parents that her life might be in danger. When she needed surgery recently, doctors requested the dog be present in the operating room to help keep the girl alive.
Denise Corliss and Bretagne
Over her long career, Bretagne has made a significant contribution to the search and rescue community through her many deployments including the World Trade Center after 9/11, the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and Hurricane Rita in 2005. She now continues as an ambassador for search and rescue dogs as she visits elementary schools where she helps first graders learn to read.