Dog Rescuer to Be Honored

11/03/2015 

When avid rock climber Nate Farrington saved Remy the Doberman — trapped far down a deep, foot-wide rock crevice at Clark Reservation near Syracuse, N.Y. — he never imagined the positive impact that his actions would have.

“I was really surprised over the amount of attention it all received,” the SUNY Cortland outdoor recreation major said of the rescue that took place in mid-March. “Grateful, but definitely surprised. It was a situation that I was able to help with one night, unexpectedly, and I thought that was that.”

Farrington and Remy’s other rescuers will be honored with the prestigious Kizey Award by the Central New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CNYSPCA). The prize is named after the iconic, 100-year-old protective cast iron statue of a Newfoundland breed of canine currently standing watch outside of the CNYSPCA’s building on East Molloy Road.

Farrington and members of the Jamesville and Pompey fire departments will accept the honor at the organization’s main fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 6.

The dining event, “An Evening with Kizey,” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Justin’s Grill, Carrier Circle, Syracuse, N.Y.

“We choose someone that has gone above and beyond their everyday lives for the sake of an animal,” said Terri Para, the association’s developmental director. “Nate went way out of the way to help rescue Remy the dog, so we felt that Nate and both fire departments deserved the awards.”

Farrington has been featured in news articles and recognized on the SUNY Cortland campus for his selfless action. This award will be his highest honor yet.

 After five frustrating hours of helplessly trying to save the dog lodged about 20 feet down on a frigid March night, rescue crews in desperation called a SUNY Cortland student who in turn called on Farrington, knowing his fondness for vertical caving.

Farrington, who is the student manager of the 42-foot-tall climbing wall in SUNY Cortland’s new Student Life Center, succeeded in securing Remy for her rescue. Today, the canine is doing well.

 Para said the association’s upcoming fundraiser serves two main purposes: to bring recognition to individuals who do wonderful things for animals and to raise funds to support the shelter in its care for more than 500 animals.

“This is one of my favorite fundraisers,” Para said. “Being the largest cruelty facility in Central New York, we see a lot of very sad situations. This event highlights a positive situation for an animal.”