Not all heroes are clad in capes; others are simply cloaked in a blanket of fur…
An announcement from the International Fund for Animal Welfare said that Bear the dog that gained notoriety during Australia’s 2019-2020 wildfire season for his efforts to save koalas was recently recognized with a special award for his animal rescue efforts.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) recognized the six-year-old Australian Koolie at the Animal Action Awards ceremony held at the House of Lords on October 12.
Bear participated in the event virtually in order to receive his prize.
“We believe Bear is deserving of this award because he has been such a good boy in assisting us in locating and rescuing a large number of koalas, particularly during the bushfire season, but he also works throughout the year to assist us in our efforts to make Australia a better and safer place for koalas in general.
We’ll shower Bear with extra pats and additional playtime in honor of his prize “Dr. Romane Cristescu, a professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast, was the bear’s handler, according to a statement.
Bear was unemployed and attempting to find a place to live only a few months before Australia’s “Black Summer” of deadly bushfires.
According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the rescue dog had difficulty fitting in with a forever home because of “his tremendous energy and insatiable eagerness for play.”
Fortunately, Bear had these characteristics, as well as a sharp nose, which made him an excellent candidate for the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Detection Dogs for Conservation Team.
The school took in the dog and taught him to smell out koalas and other wild creatures in need of rescue during natural catastrophes, which he did successfully.
Bear performed well throughout training and was quickly accepted as a member of the official squad, which collaborates with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to safeguard wildlife.
During Australia’s 2019-2020 wildfire season, Bear utilized his expertise to locate and rescue over 100 live koalas that had been stranded in burnt regions and were in desperate need of help.
Because to Bear, these koalas were able to get the medical attention they sorely needed in order to recover from burns, malnutrition, and dehydration that they had suffered…
The Animal Action Awards also recognized Jasper, a therapy dog from Lancashire, England, for his efforts on behalf of animals. Throughout the COVID-19 epidemic, Jasper has made several visits to National Health Service hospitals throughout England to provide support and comfort to frontline staff…
In the past, Jasper’s duty has always been to make people smile and feel better, and at the height of the epidemic, when everyone was giving everything, occasionally staff simply wanted to have a hug with Jasper, weep, and then return to the wards. Jasper’s owner, David Anderson, shared his thoughts…
“In addition to being two amazing dogs, Jasper and Bear serve as a testament to the importance of establishing beneficial interactions between animals and people. They have made a significant impact in the lives of countless people and will continue to do so…
We are thrilled to be able to celebrate their accomplishments with IFAW awards “In a press statement from IFAW, James Sawyer, the organization’s director for the United Kingdom, mentioned both dogs.
Watch the full video below…