CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!!  Mike was nominated by Jeanie Croteau of Bluegrass Shih Tzu and Maltese Rescue for Kentucky’s PetGroupsUnited’s Road Warrior Award sponsored by Purrr-fect Pet Bakery and presnted during the annual Fur Ball award held at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville, KY.  Actually, he is more of an “Airborne Warrior!”  Jeanie shared her nomination request with us and her words resonate with so many of us in rescue work.

Pilot Mike Receiving his award with Jeanie Croteau

“I am nominating a very special person, Mike Krizansky, for the Road Warrior Award. Mike has flown over 50 dogs, to their forever homes, over the past three years.

I met Mike Krizansky three years ago, through the Pilots N Paws program. I had posted on the Pilots N Paws website for several dogs to be flown from Kentucky to New Jersey. The dogs had been adopted, but the only thing stopping them from reaching their families was the distance. Because of the distance, the route would require at least three pilots to fill the transport. Unfortunately, the only response I received for the transport was from Mike. I felt the only option was to cancel the flight, and cancel the chance for these dogs to have their own family.

I could not have been more wrong. Without hesitation, Mike graciously offered to fly the complete route, from Kentucky to New Jersey, by himself. I was amazed that someone was willing to give so much of himself; not only in the time involved in the transport, but also, the high expense involved with flying such a long distance. 

After this transport, Mike offered to give the gift of a forever home to many more dogs over the next several years. We arranged transports with up to 12 dogs in one flight, and as few as two dogs. To Mike, the most important thing was to ensure the dogs had their chance at happiness and love.

Because of the surplus of dogs in the south, Mike’s help is imperative for the success of our rescue. The opportunity to adopt dogs is greater in the northern states. Therefore, the need to have dogs transported to the north is of upmost importance. Since the first transport, Mike has always been there to help us transport dogs up north. It does not matter how busy he is or what state he is working in, he will always rework his schedule to accommodate the needs of the dogs and get them to their forever homes.

I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to fly with Mike on two separate transports. It was an amazing experience to witness the love and compassion he holds in his heart, for these special dogs. He asks for nothing in return, his reward is to know he has accomplished the last link in what the word rescue is all about; placing dogs in the arms of their forever families. 

Mike has always given the appearance that he is not the special one for all he does, he is the one who is gracious for the opportunity to help these dogs. He never takes credit for his dedication in helping us in our passion. My hope is that if he is the recipient of this award, he will realize his importance to our rescue.

Thank you,

Jeanie Croteau”

Bluegrass Shih Tzu and Maltese Rescue

Mike receives his Kentucky PetGroupsUnited's Road Warrior Award

 You can read more about Pet Groups United at:

https://www.petgroupsunited.com/whoweare.html