The 2019 Hero Dog Awards seek to recognize dogs who help people in many important ways. Dogs are nominated in one of seven categories: Service Dog, Shelter Dog, Therapy Dog, Military Dog, Law Enforcement/Arson Dog, Search and Rescue Dog, Guide/Hearing Dog.
Interacting with an animal can be very theraputic for humans. While other animals, such as horses and cats can be great therapy animals, dogs really excel in helping humans who are going through a difficult or troubling time. A certified Therapy Dog can make a significant contribution to many treatment programs.
Dogs began helping our military forces as early as World War I, but it wasn't until World War II that the Army established its first K-9 Corps. They serve as scouts, detection specialists for explosives, and assist on guard duty to protect US service men and women around the world. Nowadays, dogs have their own military service records and can be awarded commendations for outstanding service. It is not possible to count the number of lives military dogs have saved, sometimes at the extreme cost of their own. The Military Dog category seeks to recognize the dedication and valor of these extraordinary animals.
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Last week I highlighted two dogs that are among the seven finalists for this year’s Hero Dog Award, sponsored by the American Humane Association. “Alice” was nominated in the Service Dog Category, and “K-9 Dax” represents the Law Enforcement/Arson category.
An amazing little dog named Jeanie is nominated in the Therapy Dog Category. Her owner says she is a “Pomayorkapoopillon” – a mix of Pomeranian, Yorkie, Poodle and Papillon – and 100% cute. She is an adopted rescue who had surgery at just five months old to remove a deformed front leg. She lives by her motto: “four legs are overrated,” because missing a leg doesn’t slow her down at all. She is a certified therapy dog, a living inspiration that it’s okay to be different. Her message to children and adults is to focus on the things you CAN do, not on your limitations. And she proved herself a hero when she saved her family’s pet Cockatiel from a hawk attack. You can learn more about her on her Facebook page, “Jeanie The 3-Legged Dog”, or on her website, “jeanie3legs.com”
Sgt. Yeager, a twelve-year-old black Labrador Retriever, is nominated in the Military Dog Category. As an Improvised Explosive Detection dog, he deployed with the Marines three times - once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan - going on more than a hundred combat patrols, locating dozens of explosive devices and saving countless lives. In 2012, he was seriously injured and his handler was killed by an IED. Due to his injuries, Sgt. Yeager was retired from service, and adopted to a family that would care for the special needs veteran, with assistance from Project K-9 Hero. Check out the Facebook Page for this four-legged Marine at “SergeantYeager”.
You can find out more about the Hero Dog Awards and this year’s finalists by visiting the website at HeroDogAwards.org. And cast your votefor the finalist you think should be America’s Hero Dog, because some heroes have four legs, when we’re speaking of pets.
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