Volunteer of the Year 2011
AKKNR Board of Directors would like to congratulate the dual recipients of the Volunteer of the Year award, Robin Carlstrom and Lori Stoltz, whom are recognized for their outstanding volunteer work during 2011.
Robin Carlstrom
When I was contacted by the owner wishing to surrender Kaiya, I was heartbroken at her story. It was clear that no matter how much the owner loved her, she needed to be in a different place. The great Pacific NW team really pulled together - Leslie Welker drove over 4 hours to pick her up, and then we each drove 2 1/2 hours to meet to transfer her to me. Working with my vet and getting wonderful support from the Board, we attended to some of her long term issues. To me, the amazing thing was the diagnosis of her actual problem (thyroid) was done by a member of the AKKNR Board - from a picture! Kaiya is now settled in a great home, and is very content. What I love about rescue is how everyone pulls together - our local team to respond directly, my vet who cared for her at great discount, and the Board supporting with advice, amazing knowledge, and of course funds.
Kaiya was part of our household for about a month, and settled in well with our 3 adult AKK. We worked with her a bit on agility (my love!) along with my others. I have loved this breed since we got our first in 2005. Our dog Tuvok achieved his TACh (Teacup Agility Championship) this fall - and he may be the first AKK to achieve Championship level in any venue. This breed is amazing, and I am honored to have played just one small part in Kaya's story.
Lori & Gordy Stoltz
Gordy and Lori have helped with the rescue in the past, but this past rescued puppy has put a forever dent in their hearts. Gordy at the time was working for the Corrections for the State of Minnesota, and Lori ran their home based business, and took care of their many animals.
One week day while Gordy was gone out of state, Lori received an email that forever changed their life. It informed Lori of a rescue in dire need of medical treatment and a foster home. Lori drove the two hours to the twin cities to make a late night rendezvous to pick up poor Sibbey. Sibbey was rescued from an Illinois shelter, and transported to Minnesota to Lori and Gordy’s pet boarding and grooming facility to be cared for, evaluated and treated for heart worm infestation. It was a long, hard, but successful battle to keep Sibbey alive and well. Many trips to the vet office to undergo treatments, operations, and vaccinations, as well as medication and special food diets, and lots of tears and joy mixed in as well.
Sibbey had a few other issues besides her heart worm disease; she also had severe separation anxiety and would pull excessively while on lead. After many hours (and five doggie beds) they were able to get her less anxious when left alone, and long walks, she was able to overcome all three obstacles.
The final leg of Sibbey’s journey was to overcome the fear of traveling. She HATED to travel in a car, and after many short trips, they headed across Minnesota to beautiful Wyoming after selling their home and business to start a new life in Wyoming, however she did WONDERFUL the whole 19 hour trip across many states, and learned to not be quite so afraid of traveling, which helped with her final trip to Colorado to her forever home.
This foster experience was a lot more stressful, harder to deal with, but was such a wonderful experience, Gordy and Lori would drop everything to help out anytime any where once again!