FAQ: 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards Finalists

What are the American Humane Hero Dog Awards?

The Hero Dog Awards is a nationwide competition that searches for and recognizes America’s standout dogs in five categories: service and guide/hearing dogs, emerging hero and shelter dogs, law enforcement and first responder dogs, military dogs, and therapy dogs.

Who organizes the Hero Dog Awards?

The awards are organized by the American Humane Society, which is described as the country’s first national animal welfare organization, with Dr. Robin Ganzert serving as President and CEO.

How many finalists were selected from the semi-finalists?

Five finalists were selected from the 25 courageous semi-finalists who were previously chosen.

What are the five categories for the Hero Dog Awards?

The categories are: service and guide/hearing dogs, emerging hero and shelter dogs, law enforcement and first responder dogs, military dogs, and therapy dogs.

Who is Donald and what makes him a finalist?

Donald is a guide dog from Fort Myers, Florida who changed the life of his veteran handler after she lost her central vision, helping her travel confidently, host events, ski, and navigate daily life with loyalty and companionship.

What is special about Lieutenant Dan as an emerging hero?

Lieutenant Dan from New Richmond, Ohio was born with a severe limb deformity and lost both hind legs and his tail, but maintains a joyful spirit that inspires people of all abilities while helping foster pets with special needs gain confidence.

What unique skills does Harrison bring as a law enforcement dog?

Harrison is Caldwell County’s first electronics scent detection K-9, specially trained to locate hidden electronic devices for criminal investigations, particularly in Internet Crimes Against Children cases, while also serving as a comfort to children at community events.

What makes K9 Ultra stand out as a military finalist?

K9 Ultra from Matawan, New Jersey is a Military Working Dog who is fiercely reliable in the field as a skilled detection dog, instantly locking into mission mode when commanded to ‘seek,’ while being playful and loving off duty.

Why is celebrating these hero dogs important according to the organization?

According to Dr. Robin Ganzert, honoring these heroes celebrates not just their extraordinary actions but also the incredible bond between humans and dogs that inspires us all, touching lives in ways that words can barely capture.

Where can I find more information about these finalists?

The content provides individual links for each finalist on the American Humane Society website, such as https://www.americanhumane.org/hero-dog/donald/ for Donald and similar links for the other finalists.