HEROES Unsung BY THE AMERICAN BOXER CLUB
MIDAS
“Midas” was owned by Lance Cpl. Juan Valdez-Castillo. In a 2010 report, the Department of Veterans Affairs showed that there was an average of 22 suicides per day. After four deployments and several severe injuries, Juan retired and bought a family dog, a Boxer named “Midas.” As Juan says, “This dog was different, he would wake me up from nightmares.” Juan pursued training Midas as a Service Dog. Juan says, “Midas saved my life—it was a very dark time.” He gave Juan a new lease on life. Together, they went on a mission to promote the benefits of the positive healing that service dogs can contribute to combat veterans. Dogs on deployment ran the “Midas Cares Initiative” led by Midas and Juan to raise funds and awareness for the benefits of service dogs.
Many Unsung Heroes Walk Among Us A HERO comes in every shape, size, denomi- nation, and SPECIES. They dwell among us, and we often don’t even realize how they impact our lives… until they do. In 2011, the American Boxer Club created an Annual Award—The Unsung Hero Award—awarded to winners in two categories: Human and Boxer. There were no requisite qualifications for recipients other than being a HERO, and nominators for this award were not required to be affiliated with the American Boxer Club. Each year, a committee chaired by Gail Karwoski ( surfdomboxers@gmail.com ) receives nominations from across the US for Boxers that have given exemplary ser- vice in many different genres. A committee selects the winner for the year—but each and every Boxer nominee is a HERO. Some of the extraordinary canine recipients and nominees are shown here, proof of the belief that “Man’s Best Friend” often has four paws and comes in fawn, brindle or white. “...PROOF OF THE BELIEF THAT ‘MAN’S BEST FRIEND’ OFTEN HAS FOUR PAWS AND COMES IN FAWN, BRINDLE OR WHITE.”
FINN
“Finn” was one of six puppies and was placed at eight weeks. By eight months, the family decided the puppy was too much and he was returned. His breeder worked with him and soon found that he responded well to posi- tive reinforcement, and he soon started to flourish. An animal behaviorist needed a relentless dog that would not be put off by a young boy’s meltdown and screaming, and she needed a dog that was capable of interrupting and assessing injurious behavior. After training, Finn fit the bill. He was trained as a PTSD service dog and became Bryson’s service dog. He was specifically trained as a psychiatric service dog for Bryson, to interrupt self-injurious behavior, provide mobility support on stairs and uneven surfaces, bring him back to reality during a flashback, block him from crowds, and comfort him in time of need. Since Finn has been with him, Bryson has become a happy teen who has started to find his own voice and confidence.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2021 | 217
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