TRIBUTE AND MEMORIAL FUND FOR ROCKY AND MISHKA

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
— Joseph Campbell

Rocky Spencer is our Hero, truly a great man.

His life was tragically cut short on Saturday September 8th, 2007, in Yakima River Canyon, just south of Ellensburg, Washington, while capturing bighorn sheep. Rocky was accidentally struck by the rotating blades of a sitting helicopter and died instantly. 

Rocky was a State Carnivore Specialist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the proud and loving owner and handler of Wind River’s Wildlife Service Dog “Mishka”- “The Best Karelian Bear Dog!”, a puppy we placed with him in 2003.

Rocky and Mishka led the field implementation of our Partners-In-Life Program in Washington, while working for the WDFW. Working together as partners, they broke new ground in the use of Wildlife Service Dogs and teaching humans and animals to co-exist.  This human-canine team’s charisma and enthusiasm for working with the public and wildlife changed perceptions, teaching people how to look at human-wildlife conflict from an animal’s point of view, and improving the way biologists do their jobs, through the use of our Karelian Bear Dogs as Wildlife Service Dogs.

Recently, Rocky and Mishka led a cougar research project, tracking two dozen cougars in East King and South Snohomish counties. Their work showed that, “with proper precautions, humans and cougars can co-exist without much trouble.”  The partners mentored biologists, educated the public with a focus on children, conducted Bear Shepherding, and worked together on non-lethal approaches for managing other wildlife species.  Their dedication to improving the way that humans and wildlife interact and understand each other, touched many lives, making a long-term impact in both communities and the area of human-wildlife conflict management.

They set an example, treating the community and wildlife with caring, understanding, and respect.  They showed what a human, working with a canine partner can accomplish together for wildlife.  They went beyond what we had hoped they could do to move our techniques and the use of KBD Service Dogs forward, both in the State of Washington and worldwide. His work with Mishka provides a cornerstone for us to build on. 

We Thank You Rocky
and Mishka!

Rocky died doing what he loved to do.  He had “the best job in the world”- he said so himself.  He will be sorely missed by our team and the people who’s lives he touched.   His legacy will be continued by our family of KBDs and their Service Dog owners.

Mishka is currently with April, Rocky’s “partner-in-life”.  For now, they need each other. 

At Rocky’s Family’s Request, we have humbly set up a memorial fund. 

Rocky Spencer Memorial Fund – To continue the work Rocky and Mishka started in Washington.  The funds will go to continue our use of Karelian Bear Dogs as Wildlife Service Dogs for non-lethal work with human-wildlife conflict in the State of Washington.

To Donate as a Tribute to Rocky Spencer:

• Please make Checks payable to:  Wind River Bear Institute
• Please indicate in the memo space: “Tribute to Rocky Spencer”
• Please include your contact information.

Send Donation to:
Wind River Bear Institute
PO Box 1299
Florence, MT  59833

©2000-2005 Wind River Bear Institute