The 2017 Diamond Collar Awards honored people and pets who have demonstrated courage and compassion for animals. A special lifetime achievement award was also presented to long-time animal supporter Barbara Coit Yeager.
Compassion, Courage and a Desire to Help the Community
“The OHS Diamond Collar Awards are a chance to celebrate the heroic stories that exemplify how important pets are in our lives,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS Executive Director, who hosted the awards with KGW chief meteorologist Matt Zaffino. “These winners showed compassion, courage and a desire to help their community.”
Generous support from presenting sponsors Wentworth Subaru and Subaru of America helped make the awards possible. The event took place on Feb. 22 and was attended by more than 250 people at the Multnomah Athletic Club.
Honoring Heroes: Donations Doubled
Thank you! Through Saturday, Feb. 25, donations in honor of these heroes were doubled thanks to Wentworth Subaru and Subaru of America. OHS will soon provide an update on the total raised to help the animals.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Barbara Coit Yeager
For three decades, Barbara Coit Yeager has been one of the Portland area’s strongest voices on behalf of animals.
She is a charter member of the OHS Thomas Lamb Eliot Circle and provided a major gift for the Coit Family Surgical Suite at the OHS medical center, where more than 600 veterinary students have studied and more than 100,000 pets have been helped in the last decade.
When animals are in need, Barbara Coit Yeager is there for them.
2017 Diamond Collar Award Winners
Photos by Andrea Lonas Photography
Bear: This ninety-pound Labrador retriever was honored with a Diamond Collar Hero Award for his remarkable service as a therapy animal. Bear is a frequent visitor to the Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, where he brings smiles to children coping with chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Bear is part of a groundbreaking national study looking at how animal-assisted therapy helps relieve stress in children with cancer. Video »
Evie: This tiny Chihuahua survived horrific injuries: the loss of a front leg and also the loss of a hind leg. She was taken in by a local animal shelter as a stray dog, and then received the medical care she needed at OHS. Despite the loss of two limbs, Evie’s spirit and strength never diminished. She now runs and plays and is an inspiring example of a big-hearted animal who wants to love and be loved in return. Video »
Suzanne Hein: The owner of Portland-based LexiDog Boutique and Social Club, Suzanne Hein was honored for more than a decade of work to improve the lives of animals. In partnership with OHS, LexiDog locations have found adoptive homes for 4,298 pets since 2007. Suzanne has been at the forefront of raising funds for animals in need through a variety of special events, including the high-profile Portland’s Next TopDog Model competition. In 2014, she started her own rescue group, Rescue Faerie, which has found homes for 300 pets to date. Video »
Terrance Cheyne: This 12-year-old young man was honored with a Diamond Collar Hero Award for his unselfish dedication to animals. Terrance began helping pets when he was just six years old. He sells items for dogs and cats at holiday bazaars and uses the proceeds to purchase dog and cat toys to donate to animal shelters. Terrance raises about $1,000 per year for pets and has donated thousands of toys to shelters. Video »
Meet the Heroes: Video Playlist
