More than two million votes to select the finalists in the 2012 "American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards” have been cast and the finalists have been revealed.
The Hero Dog Awards draws both celebrations of the human and canine variety, with awards in eight different categories. The categories include service dogs, military dogs, hearing dogs, law enforcement/arson dogs, search and rescue dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and "emerging hero dogs" (pets and ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things).
The 2012 awards will take place on October 6, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. Presented by Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, the hero dog awards are produced by MRB Productions, which have won an Emmy.
Bill Abbott, president and CEO, Crown Media Family Network, shared, "The many ways in which dogs enrich, protect, and save our lives is nothing short of remarkable. Hero Dog Awards is a fitting tribute to our eight finalists, and shines a spotlight on countless canine heroes worldwide who make extraordinary contributions on our behalf every day."
The official website of the Hero Dog Awards is www.herodogawards.org and visit www.hallmarkchannelpress.com
The winners are:
MILITARY DOG CATEGORY
Winner: GABE (Columbia, SC) – Retired MWD Sgt. Gabe has served our great country since 2006 when he first reported for duty. From training in Ft. Lewis, WA to completing over 210 combat missions with 26 explosive and weapons finds in Iraq, MWD Sgt. Gabe still made time throughout the day to bring love and joy to his comrades. Since retiring in 2009, MWD Sgt. Gabe has earned over 40 awards and coins of excellence for his heroic work and spends his free time educating children on the value of respect and staying in school. (Charity Partner: The United States War Dog Association, Inc.)
EMERGING HERO CATEGORY
Winner: DANIEL (Nutley, NJ) – Daniel, a beagle from an Alabama shelter on "death row," did the unimaginable in 2011 when he survived the most inhumane form of euthanasia, the gas chamber. Since adopted by his loving guardian, Joe Dawyer, Daniel the "Miracle Beagle" has used his second chance at life as an advocate for shelter adoptions and humane euthanasia legislation across the United States. (Charity Partner: The Pine Street Foundation).
GUIDE DOG CATEGORY
Winner: TABITHA II (South Bend, IN) – Guide dog Tabitha is more than just a guide dog to her former guardian, Ann Drake, who lost her sight as an adult. Tabitha guided Ann back to a place within herself where she found the confidence that she had lost and overcame the fears of her new life. With Tabitha by her side, Ann went on to complete her undergraduate and graduate studies. (Charity Partner: Leader Dogs for the Blind).
LAW ENFORCEMENT/ARSON DOG CATEGORY, sponsored by State Farm
Winner: JYNX (Shillington, PA) – On the evening of June 29, 2011, Law Enforcement-Arson K-9 Jynx desperately worked to try and pull his guardian Sgt. Kyle Pagerly and another officer out of harm's way as a crime suspect opened fire during a routine warrant delivery. 28-year-old Sgt. Pagerly was killed in the line of duty leaving behind his pregnant wife. If not for the swift and heroic efforts of K-9 Jynx, more officers would have lost their lives that night. (Charity Partner: K9s4COPs).
HEARING DOG CATEGORY, sponsored by MRB Productions
Winner: TATIANA II (Plantation, FL) -- Hearing dog, Tatiana II, was matched with handler Cristina Saint-Blancard in 2011 as her hearing dog but quickly turned into her life-saving hero. Cristina suffers from asthma which is exacerbated by frequent ear infections and one night found herself struggling for breath and soon completely without breath. Tatiana II was quick to notice something was wrong and ran into the next room to alert Cristina's family. If not for Tatiana II that night, Cristina would not have gone on to graduate from Purdue University last December with Tatiana II by her side. (Charity Partner: Dogs for the Deaf).
SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG CATEGORY
Winner: SOOT (Charleston, WV) – West Virginia Search and Rescue K-9 Soot, didn't know he had a big job ahead of him when he was adopted by Lorraine Burdette. Soot's training in air scent, scent discrimination, and certified search and rescue wilderness training gave him the tools he needed to rescue a lost 78-year-old diabetic hunter lost in the wilderness on a cold December morning. (Charity Partner: The Sage Foundation for Dogs Who Serve).
SERVICE DOG CATEGORY, sponsored by Trupanion
Winner: HOLLY (Magna, UT) – Seizure alert Service Dog Holly never takes her attention away from her guardian, Shanna Wilkinson, who suffers from epileptic seizures. With Holly by her side, Shanna is able to embrace all of life's gifts and challenges without fear. Together they travel and together they teach elementary students the importance of Service Dogs. (Charity Partner: International Association of Assistance Dog Partners).
THERAPY DOG CATEGORY, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health
Winner: STELLA (Mt. Kisco, NY) – Therapy Dog Stella and her guardian Marissa Levy, dedicate their time to bringing love and joy to the residents at Richmond Community Services, a not-for-profit organization that cares for developmentally disabled children and adults. Stella is unfazed by disabilities and diseases – befriending and with time, unconditionally loving all she meets. Stella is the sunshine that beats the cloudy days for the residents and for that they are so appreciative. (Charity Partner: Angel On A Leash).
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