Tim Vom Ortenberg (AKA: Timmy ) was there, sitting or standing quietly as the ceremony went on. He didn’t know what all the fuss was about at the Bethlehem Township Committee meeting Thursday night.

Timmy is a 6-year-old German shepherd, present because his handler was being honored. But William Hardenburg wasn’t there. The longtime fire and rescue volunteer was killedat the age of 67 in an accident while working for a contractor cleaning up storm damage after Hurricane Sandy.

Hardenburg and his stepson, Chief Dan VanFossen of the Pattenburg Fire Company, acquired Timmy two years ago and had him trained as a search-and-rescue dog for the fire department, to help find missing people, such as persons with Alzheimer’s disease who wandered off. VanFossen thought it very appropriate to bring Timmy to the township’s Holiday Celebration and award ceremony.

Besides Hardenburg, three other people were honored: longtime recreation volunteer and coach Cliff Tanzler — who also died this year — and Richard and Jill Prakopcyk. He is noted for the township’s thriving lacrosse program, the Warriors, and she for constantly volunteering for the town, her church, the North Hunterdon Booster Club and many other groups.

Mayor John Graefe told of how Hardenburg “loved being a resident and to help protect the residents.” He was township Office of Emergency Management coordinator the past four years.

After Sandy, he ran the area emergency center for four days, 24 hours per day during which he answered innumerable phone calls and responded to many incidents.

As a volunteer with the Pattenburg Rescue Squad, “Bill went on 345 calls over the past two years as a first responder” and was also volunteer with the Pattenburg Fire Company, Graefe said. Over the past five years he answered more than 2,000 fire calls. Both volunteer agencies help cover Bethlehem.

“Bill was on call 24-7, 365 days per year for the fire company, the rescue squad and the township OEM. Bill would try to help anyone at any time,” Graefe said.

And he “helped many elderly Bethlehem Township residents by fixing their broken equipment — anything from sump pumps to generators to cars,” the mayor added.

His wife, Cathy, and VanFossen accepted the award in remembrance of Hardenburg.

VanFossen on Wednesday night had taken both Timmy and his their other tracking dog, Bandit aus Kingston Village (AKA: Bandy), to the Union Township Committee meeting. The fire company, based in Union, serves parts of both townships.

Cliff Tanzler died June 16 at the age of 51. The community lost a member whose kind, gentle, generous and caring ways touched so many,” said Tom Berger and Cindy Szokol, close friends of Tanzler. They both spoke of his many accomplishments.

Both Cliff and his wife, Sharon gave so much freely and willingly for the betterment of the community, they said. They were early on in the township recreation program and while she started and ran the snack shack concessions to raise money for the ever-growing program, he began coaching girl’s sports when his daughter Julia was a kindergartener. For more than nine years he coached soccer and softball and several years coached two teams at once when not enough coach volunteers stepped up, Berger noted.

“Cliff cherished the opportunity to positively influence kid’s lives through his sense of kindness and lessons of sportsmanship and community.” In addition to running his own business, Critical Path Project Management, he taught engineering and business courses as an adjunct professor at Lehigh University. He helped build the Heritage Park playground in 2003 and was always on hand to assist with the Hoppock School play, whether helping to paint the stage or assist with the prop construction. Additionally he devoted many hours as a vestry member of the Church of the Holy Spirit and volunteered his expertise with Mr. Fixit of Hunterdon County.

Richard and Jill Prakopcyk are well-known for their involvement in both sports and other activities A standout lacrosse player at Hunterdon Central High and Rutgers, he was cited for helping start Bethlehem’s program in 1998, one which has grown tremendously.

According to Graefe, “his leadership and mentorship brings boys to the program, not just from Bethlehem Township, but from all the surrounding towns. His reputation is fantastic and the head coaches and commissioners who work with him have also stayed on through the years."

He donated his time designing and helping with the original plans for Huczko fields and also gave his services designing the national lacrosse monument to be erected in Baltimore.

“Rich has taken his passion and passed it on to hundreds of children. His dedication to the program has brought accolades to our town,” Graefe said.

“Richard and Jill are always thinking of the importance of serving others and ensuring that they have a meaningful and enjoyable experience,” the mayor said.

Jill received praise for her extensive involvement in township recreation, implementing the annual Holiday Luncheon for senior citizens and for continuing to serve as NHHS Booster Club president even tough her youngest son graduated two years ago.

Andres,

Thank you for such a wonderful dog, litter name Boss. He is now 2 years old and we named him Rocco. Rocco is a truly fantastic GSD and is everything you read about how a GSD should be.

 He is great with kids as he is very gentle with my son and daughter. Rocco loves them to death. He loves to play, just grab any branch (stick) and he’ll play fetch till he’s completely exhausted. He understands a lot of words; just mention the word “walk” and he’ll run to the door, sit and wait for you to take him for a walk.

 He has a great nose; I’ll hide treats in the house, tell him “go find” and he finds them. So far he’s found every treat I’ve hidden, he just doesn’t give up. 

He’s naturally protective in that, if you’re a newcomer in my house, he will instinctively keep you at front door until I say it’s okay. One night we had an intruder try to break into my house at 3am while I was away on business and Rocco was able to fend him off, jumping up on the door barking feverishly, till police arrived. The intruder was arrested a few blocks from my house. This was very upsetting for my wife and kids but a good thing that we have Rocco.

Rocco is a true companion, since he was a pup he is always by my side and when I sit down he lays down right at my feet. When I go to bed, he hops right in and curls up. When my alarm clock goes off in the morning he’s licking my face till I get up. Rocco is a fast learner; you can literally teach him new commands in minutes. He’s very easy to handle as he did obedience and basic protection work in a snap. Rocco is a big boy topping 100lbs, he loves to eat but you would never know it by looking at him. He is very lean, athletic, runs like a Gazelle and jumps over obstacles with the greatest of ease. He is a very strong dog, loaded with muscle and powerful. Rocco doesn’t lose playing tug, only if you tell him “out.”

Ever since we brought him home Rocco has truly been a joy since he was a puppy. He’s a do-it-all dog with a great personality and gives you 100% of himself every day.

Sincerely,

The Hanzich Family

2012

Xena Vom Ortenberg, aka (Dorothy) saved my life. She gives me the confidence to go places I didn't feel comfortable going to after I returned from Iraq. She has given me my life back and made me the mother I always wanted to be. With Dorothy's help I have been able to take my daughter to the beach, to museums, the park and I can even go food shopping now. Dorothy is by my side day and night. She goes everywhere I go and she is constantly giving me a quick lick on my hand to reassure me when I am nervous. She is just amazing and I love her!
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Lauren CustFemale
Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes

2012

Dear Pro Canine Center:

Thanks to this wonderful dog Gantan Von Apoll, my life has changed completely.

Ssgt. Jones

Dear Pro Canine Center:         2012

I wanted to write a letter to appreciate you and the Canine Battle Buddies Program, by K-9 Soldiers, Inc. When I first learned about the Canine Battle Buddies Program I was interested in learning more about the program for veterans I work with. The veterans I work with often experience issues related to traumas they have experienced during a deployment overseas. These traumatic events often lead to post traumatic stress and post traumatic stress disorder. The most common issues for people dealing with PTSD are: the fear and anxiety of entering public places, social isolation and depression. As I started to learn more about the program through JT Gabriel of Canine Battle Buddies, I realized I too could benefit from the support of a service dog. In January of this year I was introduced to Jacqua Von Apoll, aka (Jaguar). Since I have brought her home she has not only supported me with introducing veterans to the human animal bond but also with helping me handle the daily stressors of dealing with PTSD. Jaguar has brought many others to the program – she actively engages with every human she meets. She continues to impress me on a daily basis with her ability to “read” and “assess” humans as well as situations. Jaguar has significantly changed the way I look at the world- she provides me with a sense of safety and security in addition she supports me in my mission to bring each and every veteran HOME. Thank you Pro Canine Center- Andres, Kumiko and JT Gabriel from K-9 Soldiers, Inc. for giving me the opportunity to be in the presence of such an incredible being- my friend and Battle Buddy- Jaguar.

Kathleen Saucier, LPC, NCC
Readjustment Counselor
Hartford Vet Center