16th Annual Hero Dog Awards
Military Dog Semifinalist
Meet Targo
Superpower: A nose that stops crime.
Camp Pendleton, CA – German Shepherd – 8 years old
Targo is a Marine Corps working dog whose nose has helped take dangerous criminals off the street.
Trained in specialty off-leash tracking, Targo’s defining moment came during a multiagency manhunt for two felony suspects, a pursuit that ended in successful capture and the seizure of 56 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, removing an enormous quantity of deadly drugs from circulation.
His superpower is pure determination: an exceptional nose paired with the drive to push through any obstacle until the job is done. Stationed at Camp Pendleton, Targo lives at the kennels where he’s given ample space to run, play with his toys, and get plenty of exercise between missions.
His story is a powerful reminder of how much impact a single working dog can have, not just protecting service members, but helping law enforcement stop dangerous substances before they ever reach communities.
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.
