At the Animal Action Awards, held on October 12th by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), two hero dogs were honored for their heroic and humane actions.
“Jasper and Bear are two truly amazing dogs, both highlighting the important and positive relationships between animals and humans,” said James Sawyer, the UK Director of IFAW.
“They have made a huge difference to so many and continue to do so. We are very proud to recognize their achievements with IFAW awards,” he added.
Meet Bear, The Dog Who Saves Koalas From Australian Bushfires
Congratulations Dr Romane Cristescu; the 2nd finalist in the @noosabiosphere Awards Wildlife Category!
Romane is a founding member of @USCDetectionDog + works alongside IFAW x USC koala detection dog, Bear. Their work locating koalas was crucial during the Black Summer fires pic.twitter.com/QEAUxiCbHF
— ifaw Australia (@ifawAU) October 27, 2021
Bear, a six-year-old Australian Koolie, was once a rescue himself who struggled to find the right home, reported People from an IFAW release.
He’s a high-spirited pup and “his boundless energy and obsessive enthusiasm for play” made finding the right family fit a challenge.
However, it was these very traits that turned the University of the Sunshine Coast to Bear. They thought he’d make a perfect fit for their Detection Dogs for Conservation program.
Ever looked into the eyes of a hero?
Catch Bear’s TV debut on ‘Bear: Koala Hero’, this Wednesday on Foxtel.
– IFAW / Fiona Clark pic.twitter.com/nGL3RXh2s7
— ifaw Australia (@ifawAU) March 16, 2020
Adopted by the university, Bear trained specifically to sniff out koalas, as well as other wild animals, for rescue efforts. He excelled at his training and became an official team member, seemingly just in the nick of time.
Soon after his training, Australia suffered its “Black Summer,” where unprecedented bushfires ravaged parts of the country during its 2019 and 2020 wildfire season.
Saving Over 100 Koalas!
BREAKING – We’re proud to reveal that our @USCDetectionDog x IFAW #koala detection dog, Bear, and his team have found 158 koalas since #bushfire season. Fantastic work team! pic.twitter.com/TzlS65SHh4
— ifaw Australia (@ifawAU) May 4, 2020
Over this time, Bear helped rescue over 100 koalas. These poor animals were trapped in scorched areas, and Bear was able to reach them.
He is directly responsible for removing these koalas from harm’s way. He also helped usher them to care needed for dehydration, burns, and malnourishment.
“We think Bear really deserved this award because he’s been such a good boy in helping us find and rescue a lot of koalas, especially during the bushfires,” said Bear’s Handler, Dr. Romane Cristescu.
“He works throughout the year to help us in our job to make a better and safer place for koalas. We’ll give Bear extra pats and extra play for his award.”
Meet Jasper, The Dog Who Gives Therapy To Pandemic Frontline Workers
Finally, IFAW’s Animal of the Year Award goes to Jasper, the therapy dog, for the comfort he brought to staff and patients at East Lancashire Hospitals during the pandemic. What a good boy! pic.twitter.com/8HG6OynLQc
— ifaw United Kingdom (@IFAWUK) October 12, 2021
Jasper, a therapy dog from Lancashire, England, went out on an important mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His training and disposition in providing comfort and in promoting positivity for those enduring difficult circumstances made him an ideal candidate.
Dog Therapy For Those Who Deserve It Most
Our therapy dog is off to the House of Lords! ELHT’s therapy dog Jasper is being recognised with a special award from @IFAWUK at the House of Lords this week for his vital support to colleagues during the pandemic. Read more https://t.co/ZSfvPZ9NPh@NHSNW @NHSEngIand pic.twitter.com/DeqrJGizvZ
— East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (@ELHT_NHS) October 11, 2021
As the pandemic raged, Jasper visited National Health Service hospitals all throughout England, providing comfort, positivity, and yes, cuddles to frontline workers.
“Jasper’s role has always been to make people smile and feel better, and during the peak of the pandemic, when everyone was giving so much, sometimes staff just needed to have a cuddle with Jasper, have a cry, and go back to the wards,” said David Anderson, Jasper’s proud human.
Jasper was present at Animal Action Awards, held at the House of Lords — a branch of the United Kingdom Parliament — and Bear attended the event virtually, for the honor.
What do you think of the work Bear and Jasper are doing? Are you happy to see them getting awards for all the good they do? Let us know in the comments below.
