The Akita Club of America is pleased to nominate an exceptional canine/handler team for recognition in the therapy dog category of the AKC Award for Canine Excellence. Julie Burk of Damascus, Oregon, together with her wonderful Akita “Zadok” epitomize what our breed can accomplish when in the hands of a knowledgeable, responsible owner.

Julie’s goal for Zadok, from puppy-hood forward, was therapy dog work. She used the training, confidence building, and socialization of competitive obedience and agility work to prepare him for his future.

When he matured Zadok received his Therapy Dog Certification from the Delta Society, Dove Lewis, and PAAWS. Spending time doing therapy work in a hospital setting during 2006 confirmed that Zadok loved the work. Julie then decided that she and Zadok would go through the extremely rigorous training that is involved in becoming certified as a National Animal Assisted Crisis Response Team.

Soon after completing the certification process Julie and Zadok were called to respond to the Virginia Tech. shootings in April of 2007. The experience was awe-inspiring, and Zadok proved himself to be amazingly suited to the job.

Armed with the Akita breed’s quiet dignity and Zadok’s unquestioning acceptance, the team brought comfort to the campus. Interacting with Zadok allowed many students and faculty members to deal with their emotions in a way that no human counselor could. As one student put it, “the presence of the dogs made it OK to smile again”. Others just buried their heads in his soft fur to cry, or leaned against his accepting shoulder to hug him and relate emotions that they knew he would not judge. Julie was amazed by Zadoks’ innate ability to know what each person needed and his untiring willingness to give his much appreciated healing presence.

In February of 2008, tragedy struck with yet another college shooting, and Julie and Zadok were called to the Northern Illinois University Campus. Again Zadok worked his quiet magic, giving kisses freely and absorbing hugs and tears, while patiently listening to the emotions being poured into his accepting ears. The gift of healing that he and Julie brought to the campus was truly appreciated, and they were soon considered a part of the college family, as they had become at Virginia Tech only a few months earlier.

If these exceptional works are not enough, Julie and Zadok do so much more. Aside from their regular hospital therapy work, this amazing pair assists at a facility for children. Using Zadok’s obedience training, children are allowed to work with him to achieve responses to simple commands such as sit and down. The children build confidence by getting such a big dog to work for them, giving commands with patience and kindness. They also learn it is OK to make a mistake when Zadok works with the scent discrimination articles and occasionally “gets it wrong”. For these children this is a huge affirmation.

 Your ACA Legislative Committee