Ember with the NOAA hand in front of NOAA Headquarters (Photo Credit: NOAA). The Hand of NOAA bronze sculpture was created by Raymond Kaskey and installed in 1991.
NOAA Canine Ambassador Pandora Haleakalā Glowing Ember, a Keeshond, known more affectionately as Ember, and her handler Ken Vierra, who works in OAR’s Office of Research, Transition, and Application (ORTA), have had a busy year! Ember is a fully trained and certified working K-9 Caring Angels Therapy Dog who assists in bringing attention to the great work at NOAA by enticing scientists, students, and the community alike to visit NOAA information tables. The lovable, cuddly Ember also provides stress relief, comfort, and contributes to employee wellbeing.
Ember has recently supported several NOAA internal events. Her presence was a huge draw and an ice breaker at the Office of International Affairs internal staff meeting on November 7, 2024. When staff from the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere heard about Ember’s visit, they also asked for Ember to visit their offices. Dr. Spinrad presented her with one of his Challenge Coins for her volunteerism in the Community.
Group picture of the staff from Office of International Affairs with Ember (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Group picture of the staff from Office of The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere with Ember (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Picture of Dr. Spinrad (Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere) with Ember and presentation of Challenge Coin to Ember (Photo Credit: NOAA)
In December, Ember supported three award and recognition ceremonies honoring our NOAA Colleagues for their dedication and work.
NESDIS Award and Recognition Ceremony – Morning December 5, 2024
Group picture of some of the NESDIS Office of Low Earth Orbit attendees from the award and recognition ceremony (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Ember on duty meeting and greeting NESDIS Colleagues upon arrival (Photo Credit: NOAA)
NOS Award and Recognition Ceremony – Afternoon December 5, 2024
Top-Left Photo: Margo Schulze-Haugen (NCCOS Deputy Director); Top-Right Photo: (NOS HQ – Amy Criag, Robert Laroche, Leslie Kinnas, Julie Steinberg, Christine Davis); Bottom Left Photo: Tricia Hooper, Alexis Wolfe; Bottom Right Photo: (NCCOS – Lonnie Gonsalves and Ruth Jones. Pictures of some of the NOS attendees from the award and recognition ceremony (Photo Credit: NOAA)
OAR Award and Recognition Ceremony – Afternoon December 18, 2024
Left Photo: Dr. John Cortinas (DAA OAR) and Right Photo: Dr. Debbie Lee (Director, GLERL) honored for their many years of service both retiring February 28, 2025 (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Ember was invited to attend the NOAA Holiday Celebration on December 19, 2024. As is always the case, Ember was a huge hit, and countless people came to her perch to pet her.
NOAA’s Annual Holiday Celebration – December 19, 2024
Ember keeping a watchful eye over the festivities as she meets and greets NOAA Colleagues as they arrive for the Holiday Celebration (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Pictures of a few who attended the HolidayCelebration meeting and greeting Ember; which included Dr. Spinrad upon his arrival (Photo Credit: NOAA) – (top left: LCDR Blair Delean, NOAA Corps & LT Sony Vang, NOAA Corps)
In addition to all of these activities, Ember also attended the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) annual meeting December 10-12, 2024 in support of the NOAA exhibit, documented in a separate article.
Ember was a star, even attracting the attention and affection of the Maryland Lieutenant Governor. It is estimated that at this event, over 3000 meeting attendees stopped by the NOAA booth to see Ember!
Ember visited with Kat Hawley, NESDIS Office of Low Earth Orbit’s user engagement scientist at AGU (Photo Credit: NOAA)