American Humane Association’s

 2015 HERO DOG AWARDS

The Therapy Dog Nominees for the 2015 Hero Dog Awards have just been announced! If you are in the USA, help honor heroes on both ends of the leash by voting.

The Hero Dog Awards are consistent with our Talent Hounds mission:  to celebrate the powerful bond between dogs and people.

The annual national American Humane Association competition recognizes America’s Hero Dogs – often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or making the lives of children better.

Dogs may be nominated in eight categories for the Hero Dog Awards: Law Enforcement & Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Hearing Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs (the category for ordinary dogs). Finalists in each category will be judged by a blue-ribbon panel consisting of both celebrities and animal experts, to determine the winning American Hero Dog. The Final Award Show will be broadcast on the Hallmark Channel on October 30th, 2015.

Therapy Dog Nominees:

 Hudson the Railroad Puppy

Category: Therapy Dogs

Charity Partner: Hand in Paw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At just three weeks old, Hudson and his two siblings were found nailed to the railroad tracks in Albany, NY. Sadly Hudson’s paw was cut off due to injuries he suffered. After lifesaving treatment for Hudson and Pearl (sadly, Carina did not make it), they became known as the “Railroad Puppies.” Several surgeries later, it was decided that Hudson was a great candidate for a prosthetic limb and he became one of the first dogs in New York to be fitted with a prosthetic paw. (Google “The Railroad Puppies” and you can read the entire story). Hudson was later adopted and his new family understood he could do great things as a therapy dog and to spread awareness about animal cruelty.

Today he visits schools, hospitals, adult day care facilities and hospice volunteer visiting with patients and their families. His hope is to teach the children and everyone we meet that just because you’re different, you are still special in your own “Wooftastic” way. Hudson brings smiles to everyone he meets.

Hudson certainly brought a smile to our face when we met him at Animal Advocacy Day last year with Bocker Labradoodle. What a sweetie.

Visit Hudson on his Facebook page.

Parker

Category: Therapy Dogs

Charity Partner: Pet Partners

“You have very aggressive cancer.” Those are words you never want to hear. Will we be planning a funeral? How will we get through this?

Enter Parker, a new furry family member. Smart, mellow, eager to please. Now eight years cancer-free, Dan McFarling and his four-legged partner visit hospitals, spreading hope to those facing similar diagnoses.

Parker began life as an animal actor/model, but with his amazing disposition his family knew he was destined for something bigger. His true calling is providing comfort to those who need it at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital & other hospitals in Portland. He calms nerves when a child is undergoing treatment that involves fear or pain. He offers a nuzzle for someone undergoing radiation/chemotherapy. His non-judgmental eyes garner confidence as children read to him at the library. Parker spends time working with charitable organizations to raise awareness about cancer. He wears a vest with over 2,500 names of cancer patients, and has walked all over the West Coast for a cure.

In 2013 Parker was cast as Sandy in a live theater production of ANNIE. Tragedy struck when one of the ‘orphans’ and her sister went to heaven after a hit and run. Parker’s role went from playing Annie’s lovable mutt to resident therapy dog, providing comfort to the cast, crew, and the parents of Abby and Anna.

Parker does so much to give back, provide hope, and spread love — all with a golden retriever smile and an understanding thump of the tail.

Check out Parker’s Website and Facebook page. Plus read our feature article about Parker Pup.

Mango

Category: Therapy Dogs

Charity Partner: Hand in Paw

Mango is a three-year-old rescue that is paralyzed and registered as a certified therapy dog. She takes her mission to our veterans, retired and serving that suffer from physical and emotional disabilities. Mango uses a wheelchair full time because of her rear paralyzation. When she rolls into a room to meet disabled veterans they see a small dog that uses wheels instead of legs and yet she is happy and never thinks of herself as handicapped. Mango helps our veterans realize that they are special and not disabled. The emotional healing Mango brings to our soldiers is immediate. They relate to Mango and Mango seems to understand them. Her Facebook page is called “Mango on a Mission” and her mission has been very successful.

Mango also created Mango’s Freedom Wheels in November 2014. Because of Mango’s paralyzation and her use of a wheelcart she understands how important mobility is to a dog or cat. Through generous donations, she has purchased and provided over 25 dogs and cats custom wheelcarts that they financially couldn’t afford. Teaming up with Ruff Rollin Wheelchairs in Montana, Mango puts the disabled in their own custom made wheelcarts. Her goal was 12 carts a year but she has far exceeded that within the three months Mango’s Freedom Wheels was created.

Her mission with our veterans and her ability to provide disabled animals with wheelcarts is nothing short of heroic. Mango is a hero to many.

Visit Mango’s Facebook Page and Website.