Salty and Roselle

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Roselle with owner Michael Hingson and Omar Rivera with Salty Salty and roselle.jpg
Roselle with owner Michael Hingson and Omar Rivera with Salty

Salty and Roselle were two guide dogs who were with their owners in the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks in New York City. They each guided their owners out of the burning towers before the buildings collapsed, feats which were later recognized when they were awarded the Dickin Medal by the British charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. [1] Roselle went on to be posthumously named American Hero Dog of the Year 2011 by American Humane, and has a book written about her.

Contents

Salty

Salty
Species Dog
Breed Labrador Retriever
SexMale
Born(1996-12-12)December 12, 1996
DiedMarch 28, 2008(2008-03-28) (aged 11)
Nation fromUnited States
Occupation Guide dog
Years active1998–2008
OwnerOmar Rivera
AppearanceYellow coat
Awards Dickin Medal
Partners in Courage award

Salty (December 12, 1996 – March 28, 2008) was trained as a guide dog in early 1998 by Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, New York. [2] Part of his training included taking trips on the New York City Subway and getting used to traffic in the Bronx. Omar Rivera was introduced to Salty by Salty's instructor, Caroline McCabe-Sandler. [2]

When the attacks occurred on September 11, 2001, Salty and his owner, Omar Rivera, found themselves on the 71st floor. [3] Rivera was working at the headquarters of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. After refusing to leave Rivera's side, Salty and Rivera's supervisor, Donna Enright, led him to safety. [4] About halfway down, a co-worker, trying to help, tried to take Salty's leash but the dog refused to leave Omar. [2]

Roselle

Roselle
Species Dog
Breed Labrador Retriever
SexFemale
Born(1998-03-12)March 12, 1998
San Rafael, California
DiedJune 26, 2011(2011-06-26) (aged 13)
Nation fromUnited States
Occupation Guide dog
Years active1999–2007
OwnerMichael Hingson
AppearanceYellow coat
Awards Dickin Medal
American Hero Dog of the Year 2011
http://www.rosellefoundation.org

Roselle (March 12, 1998 – June 26, 2011) was born in San Rafael, California, on March 12, 1998, at the Guide Dogs for the Blind. She was moved to Santa Barbara, California, to be raised by Kay and Ted Stern. After this she was returned to Guide Dogs for the Blind so that she could be trained as a guide dog. [5] Roselle and her owner, Michael Hingson, first met on November 22, 1999. She was Hingson's fifth guide dog. [6]

Roselle was asleep under her owner's desk on the 78th floor in Tower 1 of the World Trade Center when the attack commenced. She was awakened by American Airlines Flight 11 (which was hijacked by five Al-Qaeda terrorists including Mohamed Atta from Egypt) impacting some fifteen floors above them. [4] Roselle calmly helped Hingson to stairwell B, despite the smoke, confusion and noise surrounding her. [7]

She led her owner and 30 other people down 1,463 steps out of the tower. After descending over half the distance, they passed the firemen who were heading up, whom Roselle stopped to greet. [8] The descent took just over an hour. Just after they exited the tower, Tower 2 collapsed, sending debris flying. [9] Hingson later said, "While everyone ran in panic, Roselle remained totally focused on her job, while debris fell around us, and even hit us, Roselle stayed calm." [10] Once clear, Roselle led her owner to the safety of a subway station, [10] where they helped a woman who had been blinded by falling debris. Once they arrived home, Roselle immediately began playing with her retired guide dog predecessor, Linnie, as if nothing important had happened. [11]

After the attacks, Hingson changed careers from a computer salesman to working for the Guide Dogs for the Blind as Public Affairs Director. Hingson and Roselle appeared on numerous television shows including Larry King Live , the CBS Morning Show and Regis and Kelly . They also appeared on a float during the 2002 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. [6]

In 2004, Roselle was diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, but medications were able to control the condition. In March 2007 she retired from guiding after it was discovered that the medication was beginning to damage her kidneys. She continued to live with Hingson, who was assigned a new guide dog, Africa. [5] On June 24, 2011, Hingson suspected that something was wrong with Roselle and took her to her local vet, who diagnosed her with a stomach ulcer. Roselle died two days later on June 26, at 8:52 pm. In her memory, Hingson wrote a book of their 9/11 experience entitled Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero and set up Roselle's Dream Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to raise money to help vision-impaired people engage more fully in everyday life. [6]

In 2020, the podcast This is Love spoke with Michael Hingson about his life with Roselle and their 9/11 experience. [12]

Dickin Medal, awards and other dedications

Salty and Roselle were awarded a joint Dickin Medal by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals on March 5, 2002. [1] It was only the second time that a joint medal had been awarded, the first time to Punch and Judy, a pair of Boxers in 1946. Salty and Roselle's medal citation reads, "For remaining loyally at the side of their blind owners, courageously leading them down more than 70 floors of the World Trade Center and to a place of safety following the terrorist attack on New York on September 11, 2001." [1] This was not the only Dickin Medal to be awarded for actions related to the attacks; German Shepherd Apollo received a medal on behalf of all the work done by all search and rescue dogs following the attacks. [13] The Dickin Medal is often referred to as the animal metaphorical equivalent of the Victoria Cross. [14]

In addition to the Dickin Medal, Salty and Roselle were also each recognized by the British Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. [3] Salty and Roselle were awarded a 'Partners in Courage' award by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind association. [2] Roselle was posthumously named American Hero Dog of the Year in 2011 by the American Humane Society, beating seven other finalists in a public vote which saw more than 400,000 people vote. [10]

In 2009, Michael Gaither wrote and published a song titled "Roselle" about Roselle's life. It appeared on his album Dogspeed released in 2009. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickin Medal</span> Award for animals in wartime

The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in World War II. It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown, and pale blue. It is awarded to animals that have displayed "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units". The award is commonly referred to as "the animals' Victoria Cross".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Dispensary for Sick Animals</span> Veterinary charity in the United Kingdom

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1917 by Maria Dickin to provide care for sick and injured animals of the poor. It is the UK's leading veterinary charity, carrying out more than one million free veterinary consultations a year, and was until 2009 the largest private employer of fully qualified veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK. Use of the PDSA's services are restricted to those within their catchment area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PDSA Gold Medal</span> Bravery award to animals

The PDSA Gold Medal is an animal bravery award that acknowledges the bravery and devotion to duty of animals. It was created by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in 2001, and is now recognised as the animal equivalent of the George Cross. The Gold Medal is considered as the civilian equivalent to PDSA's Dickin Medal for military animals. An animal can be awarded the PDSA Gold Medal if it assists in saving human or non-human life when its own life is in danger or through exceptional devotion to duty. The medal can also be awarded to animals in public service, such as police or rescue dogs, if the animal dies or suffers serious injury while carrying out its official duties in the face of armed and violent opposition.

Sadie, (1996-2019), a black Labrador Retriever, was a recipient of the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. She was awarded for detecting an explosive device outside the United Nations headquarters in Kabul in November 2005, and was awarded by Princess Alexandra on 6 February 2007. Her handler at the time of the action which resulted in the award was Lance Corporal Karen Yardley.

Apollo was a search and rescue dog who served with the K-9 unit of the New York Police Department. He was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animals' equivalent of the Victoria Cross, in recognition of the work done by all search and rescue dogs following the September 11 attacks. Apollo and his handler were working at the World Trade Center site soon after the attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam (army dog)</span> Army dog

Sam was an army dog who served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Dog Unit. While serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, Sam helped to apprehend an armed man and also to hold back an armed mob besieging a compound where Serbs were taking refuge. He received the Dickin Medal, the animals' equivalent of the Victoria Cross, in 2003 for these acts of bravery.

Maria Elisabeth Dickin CBE was a social reformer and an animal welfare pioneer who founded the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in 1917. The Dickin Medal is named for her.

Gander was a Newfoundland dog who served as the mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada during World War II. He was killed in action during the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941, and was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, the "animals' Victoria Cross", in 2000 for his deeds in the course of that battle. It was the first such award in over 50 years.

Treo was a black Labrador Retriever-English Springer Spaniel crossbreed and a retired Arms and Explosives Search dog with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. He was awarded the Dickin Medal in February 2010. The military nominated Treo for the award in recognition of his help uncovering a number of improvised explosive devices (IED) during his time serving in Helmand Province, an insurgency hot spot, in 2008. Treo was the medal's 63rd recipient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jet of Iada</span> Dickin Medal-winning dog

Jet of Iada a.k.a. Jet was a German Shepherd Dog, who assisted in the rescue of 150 people trapped under blitzed buildings. He was a pedigree dog born in Liverpool, and served with the Civil Defence Services of London. He was awarded both the Dickin Medal and the RSPCA's Medallion of Valor for his rescue efforts.

Crumstone Irma, a.k.a. Irma, was a German Shepherd Dog who assisted in the rescue of 191 people trapped under blitzed buildings while serving with London's Civil Defence Services during the Second World War. During this period she worked with her handler and owner, Mrs Margaret Griffin, and another dog named Psyche. Noted for her ability to tell if buried victims were dead or alive, she was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945, and is buried at the PDSA Animal Cemetery, Ilford.

Buster, an English Springer Spaniel, was a military detection dog who was active during the Iraq War. Because of his actions in discovering a hidden weapons cache, the dog was credited with saving service personnel from insurgents operating in the southern Iraqi town of Safwan. He was awarded the Dickin Medal, referred to as being the animals' Victoria Cross.

Beauty, a wirehaired terrier, was a Second World War search and rescue dog considered to be the first rescue dog, who was awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery in 1945. She is among a number of Dickin Medal winners who are buried in Ilford Animal Cemetery.

Peter (1941–1952) was a collie dog who in 1945 was awarded the Dickin Medal, considered to be the Victoria Cross for animals. During the later stages of the Second World War he served as a search and rescue dog in London. He attended the 1946 Civil Defence Stand–Down parade, where he was presented to the King and Queen, and Princess Elizabeth. His medal was auctioned in 2000 for £4,600 (US$6,964).

Tich (1940–1959) was a military dog during the Second World War. She was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1949 for her actions during the war as a battalion mascot to the King's Royal Rifle Corps. After the war she lived with her battalion handler at his home in the UK. When she died she was buried in the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)'s Ilford Animal Cemetery.

Sheila was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. She is the first non-military dog to have received the medal, which was later sold at auction alongside the medals of her owner, John Dagg, for £25,300 by Sotheby's.

Ricky was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.

Lucky was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 2007 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Malayan Emergency.

Sasha DM (2004–2008) was a Labrador Retriever who served as a bomb detection dog for the British Army whilst stationed in Afghanistan. Sasha and her handler, Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe, were killed in July 2008. Sasha was awarded the Dickin Medal, also known as the animals' Victoria Cross, in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucca (dog)</span> War dog

Lucca was a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois service dog who was employed by the United States Marine Corps for 6 years. She was trained to detect explosives. She was deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. In her over 400 missions, no human fatalities occurred under her watch. In 2012, while on patrol in Afghanistan, she was injured by an IED blast, necessitating the amputation of her left leg. After recovering at Camp Pendleton, Lucca officially retired in 2012 and was adopted by her original handler, Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Dickin Medal dogs". People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 McCabe, Marsha (April 28, 2002). "Partners in courage". South Coast Today. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Twin Towers guide dogs honoured". CBBC Newsround. January 15, 2002. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Choron, Harry; Choron, Sally (2005). Planet Dog . Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. p.  95. ISBN   9780618517527. Salty and Roselle.
  5. 1 2 "About Roselle". Roselle Foundation. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Death of an American Hero – Roselle The 9/11 Guide Dog". PRWeb . June 30, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  7. ↑ Hingson, Michael (September 6, 2011). "A Blind Man, His Guide Dog and Lessons Learned On 9/11". Fox News . Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Remembering the Dogs of War". Marc the Vet.com. November 11, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  9. ↑ Giannangeli, Marco (September 11, 2011). "9/11: My Brave Guide Dog Led us to Safety in Tower Inferno". The Daily Express. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 "Dog who saved owner on 9/11 named American Hero Dog". MSNBC . October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Rescue Dogs of 9/11: Roselle". Cesar's Way . Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Roselle and Michael". This is Love . April 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ Menzies, Janet (February 25, 2010). "Help For Heroes: Gundog Class – Canine Heroes and the Dickin Medal". The Field. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  14. ↑ Long, David (2012). The animals' VC: for gallantry and devotion: the PDSA Dickin Medal - inspiring stories of bravery and courage . London: Preface. ISBN   9781848093768.
  15. ↑ " Michael Gaither performing Roselle" - Live. on YouTube

Further reading

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