Debbie Taylor
Debra’s heart belonged to Collies. A lifelong advocate for the breed, she devoted countless hours to Collie rescues, ensuring that abandoned and neglected dogs found loving homes and second chances. Her compassion extended far beyond animals, as she regularly visited veterans at Walter Reed Military Medical Center with her beloved Collie, offering comfort, companionship, and moments of joy to those recovering from illness and injury. Whether caring for a rescued dog or bringing a smile to a veteran’s face, Debra lived a life defined by kindness, empathy, and an unwavering desire to make the world a gentler place.
So very sorry to hear of Debbie’s passing. I’ll always remember her and her beautiful white Collies gracing the lawns of Sunnybank.
Words cannot express how deep the loss of Debbie is to my heart and my life, and the lives of so many others. Her laughter and love will forever live in our hearts. Years of memories flood my eyes with tears of both gratitude and loss. During the last months of Debbie’s life, she wanted so much to be able to recover and come to Sunnybank this year. but it wasn’t meant to be.
Many of you know about Debbie’s accomplishments from when she and her dog Scotty were awarded the Shining Star Award, and again when they were presented with a Shining Star Lifetime Achievement Award. (video of the nomination is here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz5ktNdvFpI ) But that is just a piece of the life of my remarkable friend.
Debbie’s heart belonged to Collies. A lifelong advocate for the breed, her collie companions over the years have included rescues and from preservation breeders.
One of her earlier collies, Bentley, was a mascot for the jewelry store she owned and was featured in TV commercials. Each collie has been special but when faced with disabilities she used her own self developed program to train her collies as service dogs. Not content to only ease her own life, she did outreach to many others through her collies. These included visits to nursing homes with Fidos for Freedom, Johns Hopkins children’s care, reading programs at libraries and visiting wounded warriors at Walter Reed Hospital in DC. While there she did seminars to show our soldiers how a service dog could help give them mobility and independence again. She was instrumental in a program to scientifically track the value of having therapy dogs and gave several presentations to Congress. She gave presentations in schools about disabilities that someone might have a service dog , that all disabilities are not visible and how to approach or not approach a service dog who is working. In addition to these activites, her collies participated and won titles in performance dog sports of Obedience, Rally, Trick Dog, Fast CAT
Her most recent collies, Scotty and Teddy, have become well known ambassadors for collies. Scotty won the AKC Humane Fund award for Canine Excellence for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community through the Shining Star Award.
Scotty- Milas Beam Me Up Mr Scott received the CCA Shining Star Award in 2017 and in 2024 her received the CCA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Teddy- Eye Spy Excelsior Milas Taylor’s Teddy Bear is on his way following in Scotty’s footsteps and has already come close to Scotty’s record. Teddy will continue his career with his “second mom” that was carefully selected by Debbie.
Debbie was an avid supporter of the Collie Health Foundation and Collies Without Borders.
Debbie lived a life defined by kindness, empathy, and an unwavering desire to make the world a gentler place, and her laughter and smile will never be forgotten.
Debbie was a brilliant shining light in our collie world generously sharing her love of our breed and of the great gifts they bring to human kind. Just to pick one of many things she and her boy Scotty, Milas Beam me up Mr Scott, who served her wonderfully as a service dog, were recognized in 2025 with the Shining Star Ambassador Award for their extraordinary pet therapy contributions which included a study of the impact of therapy dogs in assisting wounded troops a study presented to Congress that will make a difference in the lives of many. And the founding of a reading program with Fido’s for Freedom that empowered children in ways that will bear fruit for years to come.
Words cannot express the deep sadness I felt when I heard of Debbie’s passing. We met through our shared love of Collies. Debbie was so inspirational. She demonstrated all that can be achieved together with her beautiful collies with kindness, love and dedication. If I could accomplish a teaspoon full of all she had done I would feel satisfied. She was a friend to all who met her. Debbie you will be greatly missed but always remembered with love.
I miss Debbie so much… It’s hard to believe we were together in the Hamptons last year on my birthday and this year she is gone.. I will always admire her passionate love for the breed. I could hear her say to me “Of course, he’s a collie” with her big eyes lighting up and a huge smile on her face… I will dedicate my yearly birthday donation to the CHF in her memory.. Rest in peace my friend…you will always be in my heart and never forgotten ….