Here’s a nice story about three dogs inducted to the Iowa Animal’s Hall of Fame.

The dogs were chosen because of their ability to comfort, assist, and stay calm under pressure.

The awards are sponsored by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and Schering-Plough Animal Health.

The first honoree is Hericane, a Black Labrador.

Hericane,  owned by Lynette Krambeer of Des Moines, worked as a full-time residential pet at Trinity Center at Luther Park, a care facility in Des Moines.

“She had this way of knowing who needed her the most,” Krambeer said.

Next,  HJ,  a three year old Weimaraner.

HJ,  owned by Loren and Dianna Engelbrecht of Fredericksburg, saved Loren Engelbrecht’s life after he suffered a heart attack on Easter Sunday 2007.

Engelbrecht woke up around midnight feeling sick and soon developed a pain in his chest that left him immobile.

HJ roused Dianna Engelbrecht, who called for help after seeing her husband’s distress.

“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,” Loren Engelbrecht said about the dog.

Rounding up the trio is Sidda, a beautiful Golden Retriever.

Sidda, owned by Julie Robinson of North Liberty, is the only full-time learning dog in the Iowa City Community School District. Robinson is the principal of Penn Elementary School and she takes Sidda to work with her every day. Sidda is a certified therapy dog trained by Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services, a nonprofit organization in Kansas.

Students who are otherwise reluctant to read will read to Sidda. The dog also works with students who are angry or upset.

Sadly, at the age of 14, Hericane had a stroke and went to Rainbow Bridge in September 2006. I can’t think of a better tribute than having your legacy forever memorialized.

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