16th Annual Hero Dog Awards
Military Dog Semifinalist
Meet K9 Lea
Superpower: Focus amid chaos.
Fernandina Beach, FL – Labrador Retriever – 4 years old
While the world watches history unfold at events like the Super Bowl and the Presidential Inauguration, K9 Lea is focused on what no one else can see.
As an explosive detection K9 with the United States Coast Guard, Lea has swept the high-security grounds of Washington, D.C., secured packed stadium crowds, and stood watch over the global stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Her most impressive moment came after the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, when Lea deployed to assist investigators and detected explosive odor aboard a ferry connected to the suspect, a discovery that provided a critical lead in the case. Lea’s gift is a kind of laser focus, tuning out flashing lights, crowds, and chaos to zero in on the danger that matters.
Off duty, she’s an entirely different dog: a goofy, happy beach lover who chases waves and never lets on that she quietly helps protect the nation’s biggest moments.
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.
"*" indicates required fields
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.
