Grants and Awards Initiative

American Humane Hero Dog Awards®

Recognizing ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards^® is an annual, nationwide competition that searches out and recognizes America’s Hero Dogs. Hundreds of nominees compete, but only one is awarded the coveted American Hero Dog title. The five category winners and their humane companions are celebrated at the star-studded American Humane Hero Dog Awards gala.

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News & Updates

Ethan Named the 2022 American Hero Dog!

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… After nearly a year, hundreds of nominations and more than one million votes, a constellation of animal lovers and animal stars from across the nation convened for the 2022 American Humane Hero Dog Awards® gala in Palm Beach on Friday where we revealed the 2022 American Hero Dog… Ethan! Ethan, winner of…

Savannah Young / November 15, 2022

Ethan, the 2022 Shelter Hero Dog

Ethan was dumped in a parking lot on a cold January day in 2021. He was actively dying. He only weighed 38 pounds, when he should have weighed over 80 pounds. He was rushed to vet care. He couldn’t lift his head to eat or drink on his own, and he didn’t take his first steps for six days. However,…

Savannah Young / September 1, 2022

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