Appollo, Roselle and Salty

Appollo, Roselle and Salty – PDSA Dickin Medal 56, 57 and 58

Date of award: 5 March 2002

New York Police Search and Rescue dog Appollo, and Guide dogs, Roselle and Salty, were awarded PDSA Dickin Medals on 5 March 2002 for their courageous actions following the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001.

Appollo's story

Appollo was chosen by ballot to represent every Search and Rescue dog involved in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon.

Along with his handler, New York Police Department Officer Peter Davis, Appollo was one of the first on the scene at Ground Zero. They were one of multiple K-9 units that spent 12-hour shifts tirelessly searching for the thousands of victims in the shattered remains of the buildings. It was harrowing work for both human and animal, with no hope of finding survivors, the operation focused solely on locating the victims.

Surrounded by dust and toxic fumes, Appollo and his fellow K9 colleagues picked their way through treacherous wreckage. In one incident, Appollo fell through a void in the rubble. Moments later, flames leapt from the hole, quickly followed by Appollo who avoided serious burns having been accidentally soaked with water moments before. Following this terrifying moment, Appollo and his handler quickly returned to their work, displaying the gallantry and devotion to duty that the PDSA Dickin Medal seeks to recognise and celebrate.

Roselle's story

Roselle was a Labrador Guide Dog belonging to 51-year-old Michael Hingson. Michael was at his desk on the 78th floor of the World Trade Centre when the first plane struck 15 storeys above his office. The impact ‘felt like an earthquake’ and Michael and Roselle immediately headed for the stairwell to escape the building.

By the time they reached it, the stairwell was already packed with people and the temperature was rising steadily – hitting 32 degrees Celsius as the jet-fuel fire raged above them. As they descended, conditions deteriorated and the jostling in the stairwell increased. Roselle remained calm as she led Michael to safety but was beginning to show signs that the heat and fumes were getting to her.

Panting audibly, Roselle was clearly in need of water but continued making her way down. When they finally made it to the lobby – a total of 1,435 steps below Michael’s office – Roselle managed to drink from puddles of water created by fractured water hydrants. Thirst quenched, Roselle led the way out of the building within minutes, but they were still in the area when the first tower collapsed. Again, she remained calm as together they ran to a nearby subway and made their escape, just minutes before the second tower collapsed.

Roselle's story struck a chord with the American public. In 2011 more than 400,000 people voted for Roselle as she won the first ever American Humane Society ‘American Hero Dog of the Year’ award.

Salty's story

Labrador Guide Dog,Salty was at work with his owner, Omar Rivera, when a plane struck the World Trade Centre in 2001. Omar, a Port Authority of New York and Jersey employee, worked on the 71st floor.

Omar was prepared to stay at his desk, as had been advised by the fire services, but Salty became increasingly agitated and clearly wanted to get out. Following her lead, they headed for the stairs and started making their way down to safety.

The intense heat in the stairwell and the sheer numbers trying to exit the building meant people were beginning to panic. Omar thought that they both wouldn’t make it – so he decided to let Salty off his harness so at least he could reach safety.

Salty began to climb down the stairs on his own, but suddenly stopped and headed back to Omar. Feeling a nudge against his leg, Omar realised that his dog had come back to help guide him from danger. He said, "I knew for certain he loved me just as much as I loved him. He was telling me, I am with you. No matter what. You and I together, and that’s – no question."

Together, they made it to safety, just moments before the building collapsed completely. Salty and Omar ran through the crowds to escape the devastation.

Appollo, Salty and Roselle were was presented with their Medals at a ceremony held at New York’s Rescue Workers Memorial at Ground Zero. Their citations read:

Appollo - “For tireless courage in the service of humanity during the search and rescue operations in New York and Washington on and after 11 September 2001. Faithful to words of command and undaunted by the task, the dogs’ work and unstinting devotion to duty stand as a testament to those lost or injured.”

Salty and Roselle - “For remaining loyally at the side of their blind owners, courageously leading them down more than 70 floors of the World Trade Centre and to a place of safety following the terrorist attack on New York on 11 September 2001.”