Yaksha, a Canine Hero

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Patricia Smillie-Scavelli
Administrator
Garden State Veterinary Specialists

On March 4, 2007 the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association held its Animal Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Florham Park, New Jersey. Four animals were inducted during the ceremony into one of the following categories: therapy, professional, hero and compassion. The inductees included three dogs and for the first time a turtle. These animals were nominated by their veterinarian for this special recognition.

The inductee in the Therapy category was Cassie, a German Shepherd, who has helped her companion to overcome a debilitating case of depression and panic attacks that prevented her from leading a normal life. Cassie’s love of car rides and non-judgmental company made it easier for her companion to venture out from her home. Now the pair visit hospitals and nursing homes where Cassie and her owner share their experience with others.

Rocky perhaps was the most unlikely inductee to the Hall of Fame this year. He was this year’s newest member of the Professional category. Rocky is a three-toed box turtle. Rocky was rescued by his owners who found him to have an unusually outgoing personality for a turtle which made him particularly suited to environmental educational programs for children. With Rocky’s help, his owners created a program called the Turtlesinger which presents programs at schools, museums and state parks that help children understand the importance of preserving the environment that nurtures all creatures.

Tomba, a specially bred and trained Golden Retriever-Labrador mix, is a companion and assistance dog to a 16 year old student whose neurological disorder has left her prone to seizures and with the use of just one arm. Through the assistance of Canine Companions for Independence, Tomba helps her companion through her day by assisting with simple tasks and giving her confidence in social situations. Tomba was this year’s inductee into the Companion category.

Inducted into the Hero category this year was Yaksha. Yaksha is a working police dog with the Union County Sheriff’s office. He came to Garden State Veterinary Specialists with his partner, Officer Kevin Buckley, when he experienced an acute onset of hind limb paralysis. From the beginning the close bond between these two partners was evident. Officer Buckley was clearly shaken and worried that Yaksha would never walk again, let alone return to duty at his side. As a team, these two had found lost children, tracked felons and recovered drugs and weapons. In addition, the partners had participated in community outreach programs with school children. Yaksha’s absence from Officer Buckley’s side would clearly be missed by more than just his partner.
Surgery was recommended and performed by Dr. Thomas Scavelli, a board certified surgeon at GSVS and Yaksha went home to face months of physical rehabilitation. The two partners worked on a nearly daily rehabilitation program both at home and at the Showplace Farms rehabilitation center in Millstone, New Jersey. Just a few months later, Yaksha had recovered so completely that he was able to be recertified as a police service dog.

Yaksha returned immediately to his work as a police dog and has been in service ever since. Perhaps it was the work of the surgeon that enabled Yaksha to walk again but more likely it was the fierce determination of these two partners working together day after day that made a “miracle” happen. The close bond found between Officer Buckley and his partner, Yaksha was evident to Dr. Scavelli who nominated him for this award.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the professional advice of your veterinarian.

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