Staten Island Tails News and Notes

Staten Island Boy Posthumously Honored by The Humane Society of the United States

Parents to be Presented with Circle of Compassion Award at Tribute

The Humane Society of the United States will present Thomas and Maria Monahan with the Circle of Compassion award in memory of their son, Tommy. The award recognizes and honors individuals who have performed an act of significant courage or compassion to assist an animal in need. Patrick Kwan, The HSUS state director for New York, will present the award on Saturday, February 16th, at a tribute and fundraiser for Tommy. The event will be at the St. Thomas School in Staten Island.

About Tommy and His Love of Animals
The evening of December 16, 2007, a fire broke out in the Monahans' Staten Island home. Nine-year-old Tommy and his family initially escaped from the fire. But when Tommy realized that his beloved pets were still inside, he broke away from his mother and ran back into the flames to rescue his Yorkshire terrier, Sophie, his lizard and his fish. Sadly, he was overcome by the smoke and did not survive the fire. An avid lover of animals and nature, he did what was in his heart and tried to rescue the animals who were so dear to him."The world lost a young man of incredible compassion when young Tommy Monahan died so tragically," said Kwan. "His courage and commitment to save animals will live on as a reminder to all of us that the human spirit has an infinite capacity to protect the creatures who share our world."In addition, the Staten Island Animal Care Center is dedicating a new surgical suite in memory of Tommy. Construction of the "Thomas P. Monahan V Surgical Suite" is expected to be completed in June.