16th Annual Hero Dog Awards
Military Dog Semifinalist
Meet Blek
Superpower: His tenacity on the job.
Valley Center, CA – German Shepherd – 13 years old
Blek dedicated 12 years of service to the U.S. Navy, a career length almost unheard of for a working dog. He has protected presidents, vice presidents, high-ranking officials and their families.
An explosive and patrol K9, Blek was known for his uncompromising tenacity: once, during a training scenario in which no aid had been provided, he refused to leave a spot, alerting his handlers to a training aid left behind by another agency entirely.
That relentless commitment made him and his handler one of the hardest-working teams in the southwest region. Since retiring in 2025, Blek has traded high-stakes deployments for a much-deserved home life, relaxing on the couch, playing with his toys, and watching his handler’s children grow up.
Now approaching 13, Blek’s story is one of extraordinary dedication followed by a well-earned, happy retirement.
Vote for Your Favorite Military Dog
Cast your vote for a military dog semifinalist. You can vote once every 24 hours until voting ends on September 18.
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Get to Know the Semifinalists
Help us celebrate the incredible dogs making a difference in communities nationwide.
Service & Guide/Hearing
Dogs that provide crucial support, safety and independence through their specialized skills.
Therapy
Credentialed therapy dogs that help those in need of physical, social, emotional and cognitive healing.
Law Enforcement & First Responder
Dogs who provide critical law enforcement, rescue and detection capabilities.
