Welcome - Stan and Ann's Ramblings

This is the artist who painted many of the paintings in our home...........................


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

American Kennel Club .... Presenting the 2006 Honorees for Awards for Canine Excellence


Service Dog: Aspen

Labrador Retriever
Owner: Katherine R. Huggins of Enid, Oklahoma

Aspen, an 11 year old yellow Labrador Retriever, has been Katherine Huggins' constant partner since puppyhood. Katherine, suffering from Cerebral Palsy, chronic pain and seizures, purchased Aspen with the intention of training her as a service dog. She worked with several prominent behaviorists to teach Aspen the skills she needed. Then, at 6 months of age, Aspen revealed a remarkable ability that amazed even her instructors: she could predict Katherine's seizures. Aspen's gift for alerting eventually turned into a gift of freedom for Katherine. Aspen's ability to predict seizures up to 30 minutes in advance allowed Katherine to have her life back.

Working as a team, Katherine and Aspen have set no boundaries. As a Public Fire & Life Safety Educator, Katherine teaches safety and rescue procedures to rescuers and fire departments. With Aspen's help, she provides demos for rope and water rescues and teaches valuable lessons to rookies and seasoned firefighters alike. “Aspen helped me realize that my disability doesn't define me. I define myself by my abilities,” stated Katherine in her nomination.

In 2000 Aspen won the Delta Society Beyond Limits Award as Central Region Service Dog of the Year. Aspen's achievements have inspired Katherine to share her training methods with others, which have been used by countless dogs and owners, including 130 veterinary referrals. With the success they have shared, Katherine has decided to start a service dog training center in Enid, Oklahoma, which she hopes will train and match service dogs with disabled children ages 10-18.

At 11 years of age, Aspen has lost her vision, but not her trust in Katherine. Just as Aspen adjusted to her owner's disabilities, Katherine now works to ensure Aspen maintains the same quality of life. The bond of trust between them is infallible and gets them through the trials they face each and every day.