Wisconsin Author Wins National Indie Excellence Award for Children’s Book

Elkhart Lake author, Barbara Techel, receives distinguished award for her newest book, “Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.”

Elkhart Lake, WI— The National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) are designed to bring recognition to titles from independent publishers. This highly respected and prestigious awards program celebrates excellence in independent publishing. The competition is judged by an independent panel of experts from all areas of the publishing industry.

Ellen Reid, whose company, Smarketing is the sponsor of the awards, is a strong proponent of independent publishing.  Awards are granted in over 100 categories and because of the popularity of the contest, plans are to expand title categories for 2011.

Reid’s statement on Indie Excellence website had this to say to those who submitted books for 2010, “You’ve really done it this time. Our judges agree that never before have so many independently published books demonstrated such a high level of excellence. I know we’ve said that in years past, but this year you made our task more challenging than ever. More of you have done a better job of producing books that give small and independent publishers the good name they deserve.”

Techel’s children’s book published in January 2010, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House won in the category of Children’s Non-Fiction.  After suffering a spinal injury and being fitted for a custom doggie wheelchair in 2006, Barbara wrote Frankie’s first book, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog which was published in 2008 and has  won numerous awards.

To expand on Frankie’s positive message despite her disability, Frankie became a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Incorporated.  Once a month Barbara and Frankie visit Libby’s House, Senior Assisted Living in Plymouth.  The book tells how Frankie became a therapy dog and shares stories of her visits, where some of the residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia.  Frankie teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most—love.

Barbara says, “It is an honor to be recognized for my work with this esteemed award.  As an independent publisher I know the labor of love that goes into authors’ books.  To be chosen a winner in my category among all the other submissions means so much to me.  It not only means helping to bring more positive awareness to animals with disabilities, but helps spread the message that despite obstacles, we can each give back in our own, unique way, just like Frankie does.”

Frankie is also a regular therapy dog volunteer at Memorial Hospital in Sheboygan and Sharon S Richardson Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, as well as visiting local schools in person or visiting classrooms across the country via Skype.

Frankie’s story can also been seen in Every Dog Has a Gift: True Stories of Dogs Who Bring Hope and Healing Into Our Lives by Rachel McPherson, published by Penguin/Tarcher Publishing March 2010 and Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Love, Healing and Inspiration by Linda and Allen Anderson, published by New World Library Fall 2010.

To learn more about Barbara and Frankie and their award winning books you can visit www.joyfulpaws.com To learn more about NIEA you can visit www.indieexcellence.com.