A story about Yankee receives a first place Image Award

A story about Yankee, a dog that received successful surgery to remove a bamboo barbecue skewer from its heart thanks to UF human and animal doctors, took top honors in the printed tools category of the 2006 Image Awards competition sponsored by the Gainesville chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.

The story, written by Sarah Carey, M.A., A.P.R., the College of Veterinary Medicine's director of public relations, received a first place Image Award in the news release subcategory and a Grand Image, or grand prize, in the printed tools category. Awards were presented April 26 at the annual FPRA Image Awards banquet.

Yankee, a 6-year-old yellow Labrador retriever owned by the Stazzone family of Satellite Beach, continues to recuperate well from her ordeal.