Our Special Friend - Boo

This is the true story of a beautiful black Labrador mixed breed dog. In 1999 Boo received the first "Hero Award" presented by the Southwest Florida Veterinary Association. This is Boo's story ...

Boo went from being rescued to being a rescuer. He was an abused puppy who was rescued by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Animal Service Section. Boo spent a year at the county animal shelter awaiting the legal disposition of the animal cruelty and custody case that would decide his fate.

When custody of Boo was finally awarded to the County, he was tested to see if he could be put into the adoption program. Unfortunately Boo tested positive for heartworms and mange, rendering him ineligible for adoption. Through all of his bad luck Boo kept his happy disposition.

Because he was adored by the staff and volunteers, a fund raising effort enabled him to get the veterinary care and heartworm treatment that he needed. A foster parent cared for him during the 6-week recuperation period.

Boo was so admired for his intelligence and loved by so many people that his future welfare became a consolidated effort among his wide circle of friends. This led to his being obedience trained and further selected as a candidate for search and rescue. Boo was adopted by Tami from Animal Services. She recognized his abilities and has guided him through various facets of his formal instructional programs.

Not only is Boo highly skilled in all phases of search and rescue, but he clearly enjoys his work and for the past two years has been a part of the Sarasota Search and Rescue Team. Boo has participated in searching for human victims. He fearlessly rides in helicopters, planes, ships and lifeboats. He has searched in wilderness, storms, in the rubble of wrecked buildings and other hazardous conditions.

Because Boo is so versatile and represents the issues of animal cruelty, veterinary care, adoptions, and foster care among other things, he was selected to be an educator as well. Boo is a primary participant in the popular humane education program, "Paws, Claws, Feathers & Fins" that has been presented to over 6,000 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade in the Sarasota County public schools and to other civic groups. Boo has been further recognized by receiving his Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Certificates.

Sporting his orange vest, Boo proudly marches onto a school auditorium stage and impeccably performs his duties on cue during each humane education program. Without fail he maintains his social etiquette wherever he goes in his line of duty.

Boo's life experiences of being rescued have served him well in qualifying him as a rescuer and an educator. Boo is a true hero!

Boo passed away unexpectedly on March 13th, 2008 of natural causes. At his memorial service he was recognized by Sarasota K-9 Search and Rescue for his valuable contributions to the community. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.