Heroes Among Us

It’s that time of year again, the time to honor those extraordinary dogs that go above the normal call of dog duty and change the lives of those around them.  Every year a national competition searches for America’s Hero Dogs to compete in eight categories including: Law Enforcement & Arson Dogs, Military Dogs, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Guide Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and Emerging Hero dogs (for non-working dogs).  Eight finalists are chosen, and of those eight, one dog is chosen to be the American Hero Dog of the year.   

The Hero Dog Awards were created by the American Humane Association to celebrate the dedicated bond between dogs and people.  The awards are presented by Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and broadcast across the country on the Hallmark Channel.  Out of over 350 contestants, the public votes for the winners of each category and the eight finalists are flown to Los Angeles to be awarded at a red carpet event.

The winners were announced on October 6^th, but the awards ceremony was just broadcast on the Hallmark Channel last Thursday, November 8^th.  

This year’s finalists included:

Daniel - Emerging Hero Dog Award – Daniel was miraculously still wagging his tail after being locked in a gas chamber that killed eighteen other dogs.  The shelter did not have the heart to try putting him down again.  He quickly found a foster home and then a new forever home.

Tabitha – Guide Dog Award – Tabitha helped her owner overcome the shock and depression of losing her sight.  With Tabitha’s help her owner was able adjust to her new situation both mentally and physically which enabled her to finish her undergraduate and graduate studies.

Tatiana II – Hearing Dog Award – When her owner was experiencing a severe asthma attack in the middle of the night, Tatiana raised the alarm, got help, and saved her owner’s life.  She has given her owner back her independence and helped her earn her Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Jynx – Law Enforcement & Arson Dog Award – While trying to execute a warrant, Jynx alerted his handler of the heavily armed suspect in camouflage which was targeting them from a vantage point. Jynx flushed out the suspect but his handler was fatally wounded as the suspect fled.  Jynx tried to drag his handler’s body down the mountain to safety and move another officer to safety as well. Though his handler’s life was lost, Jynx’ actions saved many other officers from the same fate. (Jynx pictured with Bailee Madison at Hero Dog Awards)

Soot – Search and Rescue Dog Award – On a cold December morning, Soot help locate a 78 year-old diabetic hunter who had gotten lost on a remote mountaintop in West Virginia.

Holly – Service Dog Award – Being a seizure alert and response service dog, Holly has saved her owner’s life on several occasions and has helped her owner live a full life despite her seizures.  Holly has also helped her owner give back to the community by raising thousands of dollars each year for various charities and by going to elementary schools to teach children about service dogs. (Holly pictured with owner and Betty White at Hero Dog Awards)

Stella – Therapy Dog Award -   Stella gives love, hope, stimulation, and motivation to people with significant intellectual, medical, and physical disabilities.

And while each finalist is deserving in his or her own right, the 2012 Hero Dog Award goes to the Military Dog finalist, Gabe.  Gabe served in Iraq where he completed over 210 combat missions with 26 finds of explosives and weapons.  When he wasn’t on a mission he was visiting wounded men in the hospital and children in elementary schools.   Gabe retired in 2009, highly decorated, with over 40 awards and coins of excellence for his work, including the American Kennel Club Heroic Military Working Dog Award in 2008.  After becoming the runner up for the American Humane Association Military Working Dog category for the 2011 Hero Dog Awards, Gabe can now add his title of 2012 Hero Dog to his list of achievements. 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Hero Dog Awards.  And thank you to all the of the dogs out there who love us unconditionally, never give up on us, enrich our lives, and make us better people.  

For more information on the Hero Dog Awards and how to get involved, check out the Hero Dog Awards website.