15 October 2004-10-14
Canine Heroes – One More Dog to be Honoured!
On Sunday, the last of this years’ Canine Heroes will be posthumously honoured at the New Zealand Kennel Club, in
Porirua. The winners of our three categories were honoured during the NZKC PROP PLAN National Dog Show however this
award is for a very special dog that is no longer with us.
Harley Jnr, a German Shepherd sadly passed away on Christmas Eve 2003, however because he was such an exceptional dog
the judges feel his contribution deserves acknowledgement.
In 1987, Debbie Anderson became confined to a wheelchair. In1989, having been turned down by a number of breeders,
Konigreich Kennels in Lower Hutt agreed to give her an eight week old puppy. Debbie named the puppy Harley Jnr and began
training him immediately so that together they could compete in obedience and breed shows. Success came quickly to this
team who worked so well together.
The rapport between dog and owner grew. Before long Harley was fetching items for Debbie, opening and closing doors,
gates and drawers, turning on and off light switches, getting groceries off shop shelves and generally being Debbie’s
legs. Harley gave Debbie more independence than she had ever imagined was possible.
Drama struck one afternoon when Debbie collapsed while preparing the family meal. Not only did she lapse into
unconsciousness but in doing so, she fell onto the kitchen knife that she was holding which in turn pierced her abdomen.
Harley brought Debbie back to consciousness by licking her face. Then having roused her, Harley brought her the phone so
that she could dial an ambulance. Debbie had been seriously injured and there can be no doubt that Harley played a major
part in saving her life.
Once recovered, Debbie and Harley began visiting the sick and dying. Again Harley developed such a rapport with these
people that families would request him to visit during their last days. As people in similar situations became aware of
the independence Harley had given Debbie, she started to receive many requests to train dogs for others.
On 1st March 1990, after much lobbying of local authorities, Debbie and Harley launched a national organization called
TOP DOG COMPANION TRUST – “SPECIAL DOGS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS”.
Harley Jnr became the first companion working assistance service dog in New Zealand. This charitable trust is staffed by
volunteers who train puppies. Once trained, the puppies are placed throughout New Zealand to people with physical
disabilities. In addition to giving their owners Love and Companionship, these dogs also give them Independence.
Harley Jnr gave Debbie a life of independence beyond her wildest dreams and even now he will pass that legacy on to
other disabled people through the work of the Top Dog Companion Trust.
ENDS