It’s officially that time of year…. Nominations for the 2022 American Humane Hero Dog Awards are now open! This exciting and heartwarming nationwide contest, now in its 12th year, searches for the best of our best friends and honors them at a gala in Palm Beach, Florida. This special awards program salutes the incredible human-animal bond.

Dog lovers across the country are invited to nominate their furry hero in one of seven categories: Law Enforcement and Detection Dogs, Military Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, Shelter Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs and Guide/Hearing Dogs, and tell us why they deserve to be named the 2022 American Hero Dog. This fall, the top dog in each category will appear at the star-studded, red-carpet awards gala and one of the seven will be named the American Hero Dog of the year – the most prestigious honor a canine can receive!

Following the nomination period, which ends on March 16th, 21 semifinalists (the top three in each category) will be selected in a first round of voting by the public. The second round of voting, featuring a combination of public and celebrity judge voting, will narrow the field to seven category finalists who will then vie, through a final round of public and celebrity judge voting, for the title of 2022 American Hero Dog.

During the past dozen years, Americans have cast millions of votes for thousands of dogs, all seeking the coveted title of American Hero Dog. Boone, a brave therapy dog who makes a difference for people AND pups in need across the globe, was the 2021 American Hero Dog. Boone may have lost his back legs, but he never stopped smiling and spreading his infectious joy to those around him. Boone’s story was recently featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Kids Edition.

Who will follow in Boone’s “paw”-steps and become the 2022 American Hero Dog? We can’t wait to find out! If there’s a special dog in your life that deserves recognition, nominate them by visiting www.HeroDogAwards.org today!