CONGRATULATIONS! On behalf of Rescue A Golden of Arizona and the G.R.A.C.E. Award Judges’ Committee, it is my pleasure to inform you that the Rescued Golden you nominated, Copper, has been chosen as a WINNER of one of the 2007 G.R.A.C.E. Awards! Copper will be honored in a special ceremony following the Parade of Rescue at the Golden Retriever Club of America’s 2007 National Specialty in Everett , WA . The category in which Copper has been chosen the winner will be announced at the time of the award ceremony. The date of the presentation is Thursday, September 20, 2007.

We are excited that Copper will be able to attend the National, and are looking forward to meeting him. Copper is a very special dog and deserves the attention and accolades he will get from the Golden Retriever-loving community. His accomplishments will help us put a long-needed spotlight on rescued Goldens.

Again, from all of us, Congratulations!

Sincerely and with Great Pride,
Deb Orwig, President and G.R.A.C.E. Awards Administrator

Rescue A Golden of Arizona

Copper was adopted in the spring of 2005 and trained to be a K9 member for the Sheriff's office. Copper has received accolades and awards for his work which is amazing enough. However, Copper is an example of the determination of our wonderful breed having overcome being abandoned in a rural area and having laryngeal paralysis to become a "working" dog and contributing greatly to our society. Thanks to everyone for taking a chance on this special guy!

2006 Winner of the GOLDEN STARFISH AWARD

Awarded by The Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA)

The Golden Starfish Award is presented on an annual basis to one or more Rescue groups or individuals that make a difference. The GRCA National Rescue Committee recently announced the winners of the 2006 Starfish Award. This year there are two individual winners, who also happen to be husband and wife teams deeply committed to Rescue. One of teams to receive this award is our very own club President Nancy Kiesler and her husband Allan Kiesler.

The award will be presented in September at the 2007 Golden Retriever National Specialty.

For more about the Starfish Story, click here.

2003 G.R.A.C.E. Award

MANDY owned by owned by Ted Jamieson
Rescued by: Evergreen Golden Retriever Rescue, Washington

Rescued by Evergreen Golden Retriever Rescue, WA. Mandy, purchased as a puppy by her original owner, was kept in the backyard because the owner could not handle her energy. The owner would turn the hose on her if she barked and kept a puppy-size collar on her even when she had outgrown it, causing a sore on her neck. After her rescue in 1994, Mandy was adopted by Ted Jamieson, a retiree who had many years of experience with Goldens. Ted quickly realized that Mandy needed a job. After completing courses in basic and advanced obedience, Ted decided to train Mandy for Search and Rescue work. In 1999, Ted and Mandy successfully passed their mission ready trailing test and became an official SAR team. They have participated in over 40 searches and had numerous finds.

Mandy, now 9 years old, is retired from SAR duty, but she and Ted are active in community service and education ventures, regularly visiting hospitals and youths at risk. They bring hope to the hopeless and light to troubled children who see mostly darkness. Their educational programs have helped many wayward youths realize that law enforcement personnel are not all bad. In 2000, Mandy received an award from the American Red Cross for her search and rescue accomplishments; the ARC even used a photo of Ted and Mandy on the cover of their 2002 Pet First Aid Manual. Mandy and Ted have also been honored as the first recipients of King County Search and Rescue's new Ted Jamieson Volunteer of the Year Award. Mandy is the G.R.A.C.E. Award's Outstanding Rescued Golden for 2003.