COURT HOUSE: (11.20) At a time of year when most turtles are hunkered down in mud for the winter, fame may come to one of Karen and Charlie Buckley’s beloved turtles, Rocky.
The Turtlesinger’s turtle Rocky, a three-toed box turtle owned by the Buckleys of Stone Harbor Boulevard, has been nominated for the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association’s 12th Annual Animal Hall of Fame in the Professional Category.
Each year the state’s veterinarians honor four special animals with induction into the Animal Hall of Fame in Professional, Therapy, Hero, and Companion categories, with an additional presentation of a New Jersey Veterinary Foundation Award given to an individual who works to improve the care and dignity of animals.
Rocky has delighted and raised the environmental consciousness of over 43,000 curious humans in New York, Pennsylvania, and especially throughout New Jersey.
Through the efforts of non-profit Turtlesinger, Inc. Rocky inspires everyone to help turtles, said Karen Buckley.
Estimated to be as old as 50 years, and with the possibility of reaching 100 years old, Rocky has inspired at least 16 true Turtlesinger songs about him and other box turtles.
A headshot of Rocky won a blue ribbon in the 2005 Avalon Historical Museum Photography Contest in the Portrait/Personality category.
Rocky has also served as a Therapy Turtle in Cape May County.
Rocky made his New York City debut last summer in Central Park, next to the Turtle Pond.
Rocky received three supporting letters of recommendation.
One was made by his veterinarian, Dr. Eric Banks of Cumberland Veterinary Hospital, who stated that Rocky “is the definition of a special relationship between people and animals, and will continue to both educate and entertain the people of the Garden State for the better of us all.”
Banks also stated that Rocky “is the most ‘outgoing’ reptile I have seen in twenty years of practice!”
Matt Pelligrine, park naturalist, and his staff at Cape May Point State Park seconded Rocky’s nomination.
Rocky has been featured at Cape May Point State Park in 13 free “Turtlerama” and “Critterfest” events.
Rocky’s third letter of recommendation was made by Denise Saia, Director of The Franklin Township Public Library, where Rocky and Turtlesinger friends will return for the sixth year in a row as hosts of their Summer Reading Program in June 2007.
Any animal that has done something special in its life or performed a heroic act, brought comfort and love to someone, shown outstanding professional ability or uses its warmth and personality to help others, can be nominated (see www.njvf.org).
Winners will be inducted at a public awards luncheon on March 4, 2007 at the Hamilton Park Conference Center in Florham Park.
The Turtlesinger’s turtle Rocky, a three-toed box turtle owned by the Buckleys of Stone Harbor Boulevard, has been nominated for the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association’s 12th Annual Animal Hall of Fame in the Professional Category.
Each year the state’s veterinarians honor four special animals with induction into the Animal Hall of Fame in Professional, Therapy, Hero, and Companion categories, with an additional presentation of a New Jersey Veterinary Foundation Award given to an individual who works to improve the care and dignity of animals.
Rocky has delighted and raised the environmental consciousness of over 43,000 curious humans in New York, Pennsylvania, and especially throughout New Jersey.
Through the efforts of non-profit Turtlesinger, Inc. Rocky inspires everyone to help turtles, said Karen Buckley.
Estimated to be as old as 50 years, and with the possibility of reaching 100 years old, Rocky has inspired at least 16 true Turtlesinger songs about him and other box turtles.
A headshot of Rocky won a blue ribbon in the 2005 Avalon Historical Museum Photography Contest in the Portrait/Personality category.
Rocky has also served as a Therapy Turtle in Cape May County.
Rocky made his New York City debut last summer in Central Park, next to the Turtle Pond.
Rocky received three supporting letters of recommendation.
One was made by his veterinarian, Dr. Eric Banks of Cumberland Veterinary Hospital, who stated that Rocky “is the definition of a special relationship between people and animals, and will continue to both educate and entertain the people of the Garden State for the better of us all.”
Banks also stated that Rocky “is the most ‘outgoing’ reptile I have seen in twenty years of practice!”
Matt Pelligrine, park naturalist, and his staff at Cape May Point State Park seconded Rocky’s nomination.
Rocky has been featured at Cape May Point State Park in 13 free “Turtlerama” and “Critterfest” events.
Rocky’s third letter of recommendation was made by Denise Saia, Director of The Franklin Township Public Library, where Rocky and Turtlesinger friends will return for the sixth year in a row as hosts of their Summer Reading Program in June 2007.
Any animal that has done something special in its life or performed a heroic act, brought comfort and love to someone, shown outstanding professional ability or uses its warmth and personality to help others, can be nominated (see www.njvf.org).
Winners will be inducted at a public awards luncheon on March 4, 2007 at the Hamilton Park Conference Center in Florham Park.
