About
Julie Strauss Bettinger has been a literary journalist for more than twenty-five years. Her most recent book, Encounters with Rikki: from Hurricane Katrina rescue to exceptional therapy dog, was a 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award and Foreword Indies Book of the Year finalist. She was a finalist for Proximity Magazine’s 2016 Narrative Journalism Prize and her submission will be included in an upcoming anthology. In 2015, Julie coauthored the award-winning Blasted by Adversity: The Making of a Wounded Warrior. She earned both a bachelors and masters degree from Florida State University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. Find her at JulieBettinger.com.
Featured Work
Encounters with Rikki: from Hurricane Katrina rescue to exceptional therapy dog
A true story of the incredible partnership between Chuck and Rikki, a very special rescue dog. Rikki found her home with the Mitchells in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The shy, shell-shocked golden retriever puppy had innate abilities as a therapy dog. Her quiet confidence attracted notice of advocates for child victims. Rikki and Chuck’s tireless work allows children to testify with a therapy dog by their side. Rikki's story illustrates the far-reaching effects of the human-animal bond.
Other Works
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Blasted by Adversity: the Making of a Wounded Warrior
2015
Awards and Recognition
- First Place, General Nonfiction, Florida Freelance Writers
- Finalist, 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Encounters with Rikki: from Hurricane Katrina Rescue to Exceptional Therapy Dog
- Finalist, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, Animals/Pets (2016) for Encounters with Rikki: from Hurricane Katrina Rescue to Exceptional Therapy Dog
- Florida Authors & Publishers Association President’s Book Award, Gold Medal Winner, Autobiography/Memoir (2015) for Blasted by Adversity: the Making of a Wounded Warrior
