Service dogs to be recognized on 9/11

A police dog searches the rubble of the South Tower.

Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and it leaves the writers of Current Instincts in a rare state: speechless. We’re not really eloquent enough to reflect on the day properly, so we just want to say “thank you” to the humans and animals who helped in the recovery effort. During the ceremony’s taking place tomorrow, some unsung heroes will be recognized – rescue and therapy dogs who were at Ground Zero and who gave grieving families comfort.

Hundreds of dogs will walk in a processional to observe the service of working dogs. The recognition ceremony will take place in Liberty State Park, and will honor rescue teams, therapy animals, security teams, as well as the veterinarians who cared for these animals. Therapy dogs were on hand at Ground Zero to give comfort to police officers, firefighters, workers, and families in the days following the attacks.

Tivka with Ground Zero workers 2 weeks after the attacks.

Tivka, an 11-year-old dog who was among 318 therapy dogs working at Pier 94, was only a pup on 9/11. Her handler at the time recalls, “Some of them never said a word all day, but would turn around at the end of the day and ask, ‘Can you bring her again tomorrow?'” Tivka will take part in the recognition ceremony tomorrow.

It’s been a strange and sad decade, so we’d just like everyone to use tomorrow as a time to appreciate everyone in their lives – human or not. We’ve come a long way in rebuilding since that terrible day ten years ago, and we’re happy everyone who worked towards that end will be recognized tomorrow, no matter how small they might be.