169 Courageous Canines Coast to Coast Nominated for Chance to Become America's Top Hero Dog

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dogs are not only mankind's best friend, but often our bravest friend. To prove this, 169 courageous canines are competing for the honor of being named 2015's American Hero Dog in this year's American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™, presented by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation. One hundred and eight-five heroic hounds who have gone above and beyond to protect and love their country, their handlers and their owners have been nominated to become this year's top dog. 

Beginning today, dog lovers across the country are invited to visit www.herodogawards.org and vote once per day for their favorites in each of eight categories. Following the first round of voting, which ends May 15 with the selection of 24 semifinalists (the top three in each category), a second round, featuring a combination of public and celebrity voting, will narrow the field to the eight category finalists. The winning dog in each category will be flown to Los Angeles and celebrated at a red carpet, star-studded awards gala on September 19^th, when this year's American Hero Dog will be revealed. The fifth annual Hero Dog Awards will air nationwide as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall.

The eight categories for 2015 are: Military Dogs, sponsored by the Zoetis Rimadyl K-9 Courage Program; Arson Dogs, sponsored by State Farm; Service Dogs, sponsored by Modern Dog magazine; Law Enforcement Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Guide/Hearing Dogs; Therapy Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs, a category that pays tribute to ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things. Zoetis is the official online sponsor for the competition.

Over the past four years, millions of Americans have cast votes for nearly a thousand dogs, all seeking the coveted title of American Hero Dog. The program reaches more than 1 billion people each year and draws the support and participation of top celebrity dog lovers from all over the world. Hosts, judges, award presenters, and entertainment acts have included Victoria Stilwell, Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Pauley Perrette, Beth Stern, James Denton, Joey Lawrence, Lisa Vanderpump, Mickey Rooney, Burt Reynolds, Chelsea Handler, Denise Richards, Martin Short, Jewel, Wilson Phillips, John Ondrasik, Carson Kressley, Miranda Lambert, Kristen Chenoweth, Naomi Judd, Lou Wegner, Bailee Madison, and many, many more.

The top dog in each category will win $2,500 for a designated charity partner and the overall winner's charity partner will win an additional $5,000 for their chosen charity. Each partner is dedicated to celebrating the role of dogs in our lives, and like American Humane Association, focuses on the importance of the human-animal bond.

"The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards were designed to spotlight the invaluable accomplishments of dogs everywhere," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's president and CEO. "Dogs enrich our lives, protect our soldiers, keep us safe and loved, and to recognize them and their accomplishments once a year is the least we can do."

"I am thrilled to sponsor the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards for the fourth year in a row," said Lois Pope. "My respect and honor for the animals who serve as heroes, including our military dogs on the first line of defense, knows no bounds. I want to ensure that they are reunited with the men and women they served with on the battlefield, protecting our freedom. All animals are heroes to someone and every animal deserves a loving home; my goal is to ensure that each and every one receives one." 

Key dates for the 2015 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ contest include:

• March 9-May 15: Voting to determine 24 semifinalists
• May 25-June 26: Voting to determine the 8 category finalists
• July 4-September 7: Voting to determine 2015's American Hero Dog
• September 19: Fifth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards event in Los Angeles

And Behind Every Hero Pet is a Hero Vet (or Vet Tech)

And because behind every hero pet there is a hero veterinarian or veterinary technician, the Hero Dog Awards will feature a second contest – the American Humane Association Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician Awards™, sponsored by Zoetis. Pet owners across America are invited to nominate their favorite animal caretakers in these two fields at www.herovetawards.org, with each to be honored at the Hero Dog Awards gala. The nomination period for this separate contest closes on March 13.

More information on sponsorship opportunities can be had by emailing Paul Raybould at paulr@americanhumane.org or by calling 1-800-227-4645.

About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

About Lois Pope, The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, Inc., and LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education)
As one of America's leading philanthropists, Lois Pope has positively impacted the lives of individuals at the local, national and international levels.  She has established three separate organizations dedicated to helping those in need.  These organizations are the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, Inc., Leaders In Furthering Education (LIFE), and the Disabled Veterans' Life Memorial Foundation.  For more than 20 years she has been the driving force behind the Lois Pope LIFE Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine, The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, and a groundbreaking new program with American Humane Association in Palm Beach County. Lois Pope has recently donated two Lois Pope Red Star Rescue Vehicles. Each rescue vehicle is a 50-foot long response unit, complete with a Ford F-350 truck and trailer, which is specifically designed and outfitted to provide an array of animal emergency services and cruelty responses within the region. 

Mrs. Pope recently saw the completion of a decade's long dream – the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which was dedicated by President Obama in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 5, 2014. The Memorial will forever stand as a reminder to the public and legislators of the courage and sacrifices of the four million living disabled veterans and all those who died before them for the need to be vigilant in assuring their support, as well as being aware of the human cost of war.

A mother and a grandmother, Lois has trained for and completed five New York City Marathons.

To learn more visit www.life-edu.org or call 561.582.8083. 

About Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 85 million homes. The country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as Cedar Cove, Good Witch, and When Calls the Heart; annual specials like Kitten Bowl and Hero Dog Awards and; a daily 2-hour lifestyle show, Home & Family.  Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as Countdown to Christmas and Countdown to Valentine's Day. Rounding out the network's diverse slate are television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Middle, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. Complementing Hallmark Channel's light-hearted and comedic fare, sibling network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries presents a unique mix of content that is more dramatic in tone, including original movies and such acquired series Matlock, Murder She Wrote, and Hart to Hart.                     

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. CRWN, owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.

For more information, please visit www.crownmediapress.com 
Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter (Join the conversation at #HeartofTV), Pinterest, tvtag, YouTube

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2014, the company generated annual revenues of $4.8 billion. With approximately 10,000 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2015, Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetisUS.com.

About State Farm®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve over 82 million policies and accounts – nearly 80 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2014 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

About Modern Dog magazine
Modern Dog magazine is a must-read for dog lovers! Get inspired with the best ideas and solutions for life with dogs. Each issue features cool finds, design, insight into your dog's behaviour, best buys, wellness, rescue, training, fun DIY how-to's, contests and more! Modern Dog is your guide to a better bond with your dog. A large part of Modern Dog's mission is to support rescue and the organizations that work tirelessly to help to dogs in need. www.moderndogmagazine.com

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SOURCE American Humane Association