Pittsburgh pups nominated for 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Awards

Three Pittsburgh pups are competing for the chance to be named the nation’s Top Hero Dog.

More than 400 dogs from across the country are nominated for the 11th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, according to an announcement from American Humane.

The awards, sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, will be broadcast as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall.

“Our best friends do so much to improve and even save our lives, and every dog owner knows about the extraordinary, unbreakable bond they share with their dog,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “The American Hero Dog Awards are our way of celebrating the power of the human-animal bond, which has been a core part of our organization’s mission for 114 years.”

Dog lovers can vote online once per day for their favorite dog in seven categories.

The first round of voting ends May 6. After that, the the top three dogs in each category will move into the second round of voting.

Then, the finalists of each category will participate in the televised Hero Dog Awards, where the 2021 American Hero Dog will be named.

This year’s categories include military dogs, therapy dogs, law enforcement or detection dogs, service dogs, shelter dogs, search-and-rescue dogs and guide or hearing dogs.

More than 20 Pennsylvanian pups are nominated, including three from Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh pooches are: Clover in the service category, Carmel in the guide and hearing category, and Beauty in the shelter category.

Clover was trained to help her owner with sensory processing disorder and other autism-related disabilities, helping her owner gain independence and spreading laughs.

Carmel helps her owner, who was born with serious eye conditions, as a guide dog.

Beauty, a pit bull who was adopted from New York Animal Care & Control, now helps educate people about the breed and once served as a team mascot for Race for the Cure.

“The Hero Dog Awards recognize some of America’s bravest heroes,” philanthropist and platinum presenting sponsor Lois Pope said. “I am honored to present this invaluable effort to honor the best of our best friends and shine a light on the extraordinary acts of courage and kindness performed by ordinary dogs.”

In the last 10 years of the program, Americans have cast millions of votes for over 1,000 dogs.

It has also drawn the attention of celebrity dog lovers, with famous judges, award presenters and entertainment acts like Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Betty White, Katharine McPhee and Whoopi Goldberg.