Nikie
. . .
"NiCad Batteries Rechargeable"
A Courageous Canine
April 8, 1994 - March 4, 2004
Nikie's handler Frank Shane . . . internationally known for his work in disasters, trauma and crisis intervention using canines.
Frank and Nikie are
featured on the cover of
HERO DOGS Courageous Canines in Action.
NiCad Batteries Rechargeable –
“Nikie” was a big endearing golden retriever
who was an extraordinary highly trained and credentialed K-9 Disaster Relief
canine. He had been providing canine therapy for most of his life. His 120-pound charisma discerned moods and he
was perceptive
to the emotions of sadness, pain and heartache. Since
finishing his work on Ground Zero after nine months, Nikie helped many
victims throughout the United States: Sniper Shootings in Virginia, Abandoned
Children in Hospitals, Johnson Space Center, Fire in West Warwick, Rhode
Island, F-4 Tornados in Jackson, Tennessee, Staten Island Ferry Crash,
California Wildfires . . . his work continued until his untimely death on
March 4, 2004.
Nikie
started his canine crisis/trauma intervention at a
brain trauma center in New Jersey.
While on a routine visit one Sunday morning,
Nikie instinctively went into a room that had a new patient. A young women
with deep blue eyes was staring at the ceiling – she was in a coma - - her
family at her bedside. As trained, Nikie gently put his paws up on the
bedrail. The girl screamed something, so he immediately started to leave, but
a voice said - - "no, please stay, my daughter is calling out the name of her
dog!.” Month after month Nikie instinctively went to her
room and never gave up until one Sunday morning Nikie wouldn’t get off the
elevator. Ginny had gone home!
After September 11th, Nikie’s exceptional abilities earned him the distinction of being the only canine to be credentialed to provide assistance to the men and women at Ground Zero. His years as a provider of canine crisis and trauma intervention proved to be invaluable. He negotiated the perils of the 16-acre site while comforting firefighters, EMT's, police, military, demolition workers, trades and volunteers. In the Respite Centers, Nikie elicited emotions which were bound inside by the unbearable work being done since September 11th. To everyone, Nikie is just a dog. To Nikie, everyone is just a loving person. His training and instinctive offering of love and compassion touch every human emotion. He was non-judgmental and absorbed the trauma and personal feelings of everybody - - men, women and especially children.
Nikie
learned to deal with new challenges. His
veterinary care was provided by Oradell Animal Hospital, Oradell, New Jersey and
the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. His veterinarians
Dr. DeSanto and Dr. Otto gave him routine physical examinations, chest
X-Rays and blood work. He was also part of a health study being conducted on
World Trade Center "Ground Zero"
canines by the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine.
Please view the entire
K-9
Disaster Relief web site to learn about the Foundation and ways you can
become trained in this important humanitarian work.
Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani met Nikie on many occasions, including the Ground Zero
victims memorial service, the Veteran’s Day memorial service with President Bush, the dedication of the Ground Zero respite facility with
Christie Todd Whitman of the Environmental Protection Agency and on Christmas
morning at Ground Zero. On December 21, 2001 he was personally awarded a Certificate of
Recognition from Governor George Pataki. In the Executive Chamber Governor
Pataki said,
“Nikie has worked with and positively assisted New York
City firefighters, police officers, World Trade Center employees, and victims’
families and children affected by the tragic events of September 11th
and November 12th, truly proving to be a man’s best friend.”
Nikie visited children who lost parents on September
11th. Nikie will forever be a Courageous Canine.
.