Animal Supporters Recognized at Fur Ball

One of the highlights of the evening was recognizing those who have made a difference in Oklahoma for our four-legged friends. It is our sincere pleasure to recognize the recipients of Oklahoma Alliance for Animals Annual Awards for 2011:

Kraft Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award 2011 Recipients
Named for Dr. James Kraft, a generous animal lover and long-time supporter of Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, this award is given to individuals with outstanding accomplishments and who have shown dedication to improving the lives of companion animals in Oklahoma.

Stephen Eberle
A true leader among leaders, Stephen Eberle dedicated his life to being a voice for the voiceless. A tireless advocate for animals, he infused his passion for animals and their welfare into all aspects of his life. His career in animal protection began when he served as the Executive Director of the Washington County SPCA in Bartlesville for two years. In this role, he was a powerful spokesperson leading the organization in their mission of being an open access shelter striving to protect the animals they served. In the early 2000s, as a founder and leader of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Cockfighting, Stephen and his team led a successful advocacy effort to ban the cruel blood sport in Oklahoma. Stephen was also a leader to end bear wrestling in the bars of Pawhuska, as well as horse tripping. In more recent years, Stephen’s advocacy continued as a legislative lobbyist for the Oklahoma Animal Protection Agency. Most recently Stephen was working as the Community Food and Gardening Coordinator at Indian Health Care Resource Center where he taught people how to grow their own food, shop wisely and make healthier meals.

Stephen passed away this year on August 5. He was 55 years old. While a tremendous loss for our entire community, Stephen’s legacy will continue through the many lives he touched  and minds changed throughout his life as an activist and organizer.

Clova Abrahamson
For 41 years, Clova Abrahamson has worked to end pet overpopulation and animal suffering, as well as led the charge on many animal welfare issues. Her work in animal welfare began in 1970 as a volunteer at the Washington County SPCA which led to her service on their Board of Directors and work on various animal welfare projects as well as ordinance reform to ensure humane treatment and living conditions for Bartlesville pets. She also served as the animal control officer in Bartlesville for 6 years where she successfully changed the perception of animal control from “dog catcher” to animal welfare worker. Clova even took her love for animals abroad when she moved for 4 years to Stavanger, Norway, where she volunteered for the Norwegian Humane Society.

Clova helped found the Oklahoma Humane Federation and served several terms as president. She also was a key legislative advocate in outlawing cockfighting in Oklahoma. She continues to volunteer, network, advocate, and of course, pick up stray animals and try to find them a safe haven. Thank you Clova for creating positive change for pets in Oklahoma and for forging the path for the rest of us who are trying to make a difference for animals.

Making a Difference Award 2011 Recipients
Presented to a business and a nonprofit which has worked corroborativelywith Oklahoma Alliance for Animals
and other organizations to improve the lives of companion animals in Oklahoma.

Pooches
Nancy Werhane and Lawanna Smith are friends who together launched Pooches in 2005. Along with running a successful business, Nancy and Lawanna provide training and behavior counseling to allow dogs to be good candidates for adoption and then stay successfully in permanent homes. Pooches donates services to area rescue groups including PAL, ARF, Animal Aid and others to provide training for foster dogs and dogs placed in new homes. They also donate the use of their training room for a program developed by Beth Sharp for dogs adopted from the Tulsa Animal Welfare shelter.

Tulsa SPCA
Over the past year, TSPCA has grown to help more animals and provide more services to the Tulsa community. They have more than doubled their adoption numbers, expanded their outreach and shelter hours, grown their volunteer program and now offer low-cost spay and neuter services along with low-cost. Tulsa SPCA has not only provides assistance to animals in need in the Tulsa area, but also been a safe haven for several puppy mill rescues, hoarding situations and animal cruelty cases from across the state.

Tulsa SPCA places emphasis volunteer training and owner education to ensure a permanent, loving home for rescued pets.

Spay /Neuter Achievement Award 2011 Recipient – Oklahoma Spay Network 
Formerly Homeward Bound Humane Society of Durant, the Oklahoma Spay Networkinitiated the first high volume low-income spay neuter program in Oklahoma, starting out as a tri-county transport program in 2000. OSN now provides a combined total of over 6,500 spays and neuters in their rural clinic insoutheast Oklahoma and their off-board recovery mobile program which serves outlying areas of the state.

Second Chance Award 
Presented to a rescued pet who demonstrates the potential of pets that are given a second chance at life and being an inspiration to all the humans around them.

2011 Recipient – Ely Johnson
After adopted from Animal Rescue Foundation, Ely and his human mom, Shirley Johnson, give back to their community by visiting retirement centers, nursing homes, hospitals, homeless shelters and other places where people might benefit from pet therapy. Ely most recently served as the Ambassador of Goodwill for Turn Tulsa Pink! Ely and Shirley are a nationally certified pet therapy team and Ely has also earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, Therapy Dogs, Inc. certification, and Karing K9’s Certification.