SPRINGFIELD – The statue on temporary display at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History reminds people that dogs are more than just best friends – they are also heroes.

“Galaxy,” a fiberglass statute of a search and rescue German Shepard, will be featured at the museum now through November, according to Judy Harrington, vice president of the Springfield Kennel Club, the organization that underwrote the creation of the sculpture.

The statue was one of a little more than 100 created in 2002 as part of a charitable public art project, “DOGNY: America’s Tribute to Search and Rescue Dogs,” created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The statues were auctioned to raise money to help with the training and care of these dogs. More than $2 million has been raised to date.

Each statue was painted differently with celestial symbols on “Galaxy’s” face.

Harrington said the statue is usually displayed at the two dog shows the Springfield Kennel Club produces each year, but thought the statue would be an appropriate addition with the museum exhibiting “Better Angels: The Firefighters of 9/11,” the series of firefighter portraits by Dawn Siebel.

Harrington noted the club made a $5,000 donation to the Springfield Police department to assist its K-9 program.

On April 22, at the kickoff of the statue’s appearance at the museum, Springfield Police Officer Timothy Flanagan and “Riko,” a German Shepard and his partner for seven years, answered questions from the museum audience.

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