2.9 Animal Heroes: Helen Woodward Animal Centre - Mike Arms

Animal HeroesAnimal Heroes

By Mike ArmsBy Mike Arms

Helen WoodwardHelen WoodwardAnimal CenterAnimal Center

9/11 Rescue Dog Statistics9/11 Rescue Dog Statistics

• The 9/11 rescue effort was the largest deployment The 9/11 rescue effort was the largest deployment of search and rescue dogs in United States historyof search and rescue dogs in United States history

• Teams consisted of: FEMA, New York city K9 Teams consisted of: FEMA, New York city K9 units, and search and rescue dogs from around the units, and search and rescue dogs from around the U.S.U.S.

• A variety of breeds were deployed, including mixed A variety of breeds were deployed, including mixed breeds and dogs from animal sheltersbreeds and dogs from animal shelters

(Source: FEMA.gov)(Source: FEMA.gov)

SiriusSiriusN.Y. Port Authority DogN.Y. Port Authority Dog

Sirius, with his handler, Sirius, with his handler, Port Authority Police Port Authority Police Sergeant, David LimSergeant, David Lim


After hearing an explosion, Lim told Sirius, ‘I think After hearing an explosion, Lim told Sirius, ‘I think we’re in a lot of trouble right now… I’ll be back for we’re in a lot of trouble right now… I’ll be back for you.’you.’

Lim thought a bomb went off in the World Trade Lim thought a bomb went off in the World Trade Center. He left Sirius in his kennel, to see what Center. He left Sirius in his kennel, to see what happened. Then the second tower fell.happened. Then the second tower fell.


Lim, trapped in rubble, could not help his partner, Lim, trapped in rubble, could not help his partner, Sirius, as his kennel was buried underneath the Sirius, as his kennel was buried underneath the second World Trade Center tower. Lim was second World Trade Center tower. Lim was rescued 5 hours later. Sirius could not be rescued 5 hours later. Sirius could not be rescued.rescued.


When Sirius’ remains were found on January 22, When Sirius’ remains were found on January 22, 2002, Lim rushed to Ground Zero to honor his 2002, Lim rushed to Ground Zero to honor his partner. Sirius was given full Police Honors as he partner. Sirius was given full Police Honors as he was carried out. All machines were silenced and was carried out. All machines were silenced and everyone saluted.everyone saluted.



RoselleRoselleGuide Dog for the BlindGuide Dog for the Blind


Hingson knew to keep calm. He had learned to Hingson knew to keep calm. He had learned to do at age 14… [keep] composure that teamwork do at age 14… [keep] composure that teamwork demanded; keep calm so you keep your dog demanded; keep calm so you keep your dog calm… you are a calm… you are a teamteam..


The firefighters told Michael to keep going. They The firefighters told Michael to keep going. They bent down and petted Roselle. “Keep going,” one bent down and petted Roselle. “Keep going,” one of them said to her. “Good dog, good dog,” said of them said to her. “Good dog, good dog,” said the others. Roselle happily licked their hands and the others. Roselle happily licked their hands and faces.faces.


““I can’t see!” a woman was shouting, temporarily I can’t see!” a woman was shouting, temporarily blinded from the dust. Michael followed her voice blinded from the dust. Michael followed her voice and found her, and grabbed her arm. “Don’t and found her, and grabbed her arm. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m blind and I have a guide dog worry,” he said. “I’m blind and I have a guide dog named Roselle, she’ll take care of us both.”named Roselle, she’ll take care of us both.”


ScarlettScarlettHero CatHero Cat


““Scarlett was severely burned in the process of Scarlett was severely burned in the process of pulling her kittens from the fire. Her eyes were pulling her kittens from the fire. Her eyes were blistered shut, her ears and paws burned, and blistered shut, her ears and paws burned, and her coat was highly singed. The majority of her her coat was highly singed. The majority of her facial fur was burnt away. After saving her facial fur was burnt away. After saving her kittens, she was seen to touch each of them on kittens, she was seen to touch each of them on the nose to ensure they were all there and alive, the nose to ensure they were all there and alive, as the blisters on her eyelids kept her from as the blisters on her eyelids kept her from seeing them. After, she collapsed, unconscious.”seeing them. After, she collapsed, unconscious.”




After three months of treatment and recovery, Scarlett and After three months of treatment and recovery, Scarlett and her surviving kittens were well enough to be adopted. The her surviving kittens were well enough to be adopted. The clinic’s staff said she was “clinic’s staff said she was “spoiled rotten and treated like a spoiled rotten and treated like a queenqueen.”.”


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2.9 Animal Heroes: Helen Woodward Animal Centre - Mike Arms