G.R.A.C.E 2007 Winner - Andy
G.R.A.C.E 2007 Winner - Bentley
G.R.A.C.E 2007 Winner - Copper
G.R.A.C.E 2007 Winner - Toby
G.R.A.C.E 2007 Winner - Tripp2008 G.R.A.C.E. Awards
Rescue A Golden of Arizona is now accepting nominations for the eighth annual G.R.A.C.E. Awards. G.R.A.C.E. stands for Golden Rescue And Community Excellence. Information about previous G.R.A.C.E. Award winners can be viewed on the RAGofAZ website, www.golden-retriever.org
The purpose of the G.R.A.C.E. Awards is to recognize Rescued Goldens that have accomplished something significant and exceptional. These awards will be presented after the National Parade of Rescue at the 2008 Golden Retriever Club of America's Golden Retriever national Specialty in Warwick, RI on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Each award recipient will receive a beautiful trophy designed by Ida Marino of The Golden Touch of Paws. A monetary award in the name of the rescued Golden will be presented to the 501 (c) (3) Golden Retriever Rescue organization responsible for rescuing the dog. If any Honorable Mentions are awarded, the recipient will receive a plaque and a monetary award will be given to the designated Rescue. Winners are encouraged but not required to attend the Awards presentation.
* Golden Retrievers must be RESCUED Goldens in order to be eligible for G.R.A.C.E. Awards.
* Past winners of G.R.A.C.E. Awards, including those who have received Honorable Mentions, are NOT eligible for consideration.
There are four categories: Animal Assisted Therapy or Service, Education, Heroism, and Law Enforcement. One Golden from all that are nominated may be chosen as the Outstanding Rescued Golden of 2008.
* Animal Assisted Therapy or Service includes work with or companionship for mentally or physically disabled individuals or visits to hospitals or convalescent facilities.
* Education includes giving demonstrations of trained skills or public appearances accompanying an owner who presents educational programs to schools and/or community groups on responsible dog ownership, the Golden Retriever breed, Golden Retriever Rescue work, etc. Dogs that are involved with children's reading assistance programs fall into this category also.
* Heroism includes either saving someone's life or something similarly heroic or a single act or multiple acts of search-and-rescue (the person being sought does not have to have survived, nor does the search have to have been for someone whose life was in imminent danger).
* Law Enforcement includes dogs that work as "sniffer dogs" for arson fuels, explosives, drugs, contraband or any other illegal substance and also dogs that assist law enforcement officers in the apprehension of criminals. If a Golden assists a law enforcement officer in presenting educational programs to school or community groups, the nomination will be considered in the Education category.
The appropriate entry category will be determined by the judges.
Nominations must be submitted by completing the 2008 G.R.A.C.E. Awards Entry Form and must include all required materials detailed on the nomination form.
Nominations must be sent by U.S. Mail; E-mailed nominations will not be accepted.
The deadline for postmarking nominations is July 31, 2008.
If you have any questions or would like a Nomination Form e-mailed to you, please contact Deb Orwig, RAGofAZ President, at dorwigaz@cox.net or call 623-362-9234.
Download 2008 Application (pdf)
Previous G.R.A.C.E Winners
Please click here to read the 2007 Winners' Stories
Please click here to read the 2006 Winner's Stories
Please click here to read the 2005 Winner's Stories
Please click here to read the 2004 Winner's Stories
Please click here to read the 2003 Winner's Stories
Please click here to read the 2002 Winner's Stories