Phil Cox and his service collie, Crookshanks
This year, the Collie Club of America (CCA) Shining Star Committee received 19 applications for the Shining Star program.
The CCA Shining Star Committee has selected Phil Cox and his service collie Crookshanks as the 2021 Shining Star Ambassador Team.
When Phil’s first service dog retired due to health problems, Phil reached out to Clear Path for Veterans, in the Syracuse, NY area. The mission of Clear Path for Veterans Canine Program is to provide healing therapy for PTSD veterans through the bonding process of handler and partner. Phil’s search for a replacement service dog ended with the introduction of a smooth collie named Crookshanks. Over the course of one year, Phil and Crookshanks completed extensive service dog training at the Clear Path for Veterans facilities.
Phil Cox is a military veteran with military service connected disabilities and Crookshanks is Phil’s rock. Crookshanks has been trained to provide physical support as well as emotional support to his owner. Crookshanks has even saved his owner’s life on a number of occasions.
> Read the full 2021 report (originally printed in the Summer 2021 CCA Bulletin)
