The Hero Dog Awards® are back! Our annual, nationwide competition recognizes heroes on both ends of the leash.
14th Annual Hero Dog Awards winner, Bo, is a Bloodhound and tracking dog with the Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina. His many achievements include locating an 11-year-old autistic child who had gone missing.
Celebrate Ordinary Dogs That Do Extraordinary Things
Every dog has the potential to be a hero. From loyal companions who brighten our daily lives to brave canines who perform extraordinary acts of courage, dogs showcase the incredible power of the human-animal bond.
The American Humane Society Hero Dog Awards® celebrate these remarkable animals and their inspiring stories each year.
For 15 years, our nationwide competition has invited dog owners across America to nominate their canine heroes in five different categories. Whether they’re service dogs helping people with disabilities, therapy dogs bringing comfort to those in need, or family pets who have shown unexpected bravery, we honor them all.
Help Celebrate America’s Hero Dogs
Follow us on social media for awards news and announcements. Together, we can share these powerful stories that remind us why dogs truly are our best friends.
Heroes Come in All Breeds
Nominations are now open to celebrate hero dogs across these five award categories. To submit, simply pick the category that fits your dog, share their story and upload your favorite photos by June 30, 2025.
Law Enforcement and First Responder Dogs
Provide critical law enforcement, rescue and detection capabilities.
Award Rules
Nominations for the 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards will be open from June 2, 2025 – June 30, 2025. Key points to know before nominating your dog:
- Open to legal U.S. residents (50 states and D.C.) who are at least 18 years old.
- You must own the nominated dog or be authorized by the owner.
- Dogs must be alive at the time of entry and permanently reside in the United States.
- Dogs can only be nominated in one category.
- Public voting from August 4, 2025 – September 15, 2025.
- The Hero Dog Awards winner is selected from category winners by a panel of judges.
Join Us As A Sponsor
Join us as a sponsor of this year’s Hero Dog Awards to honor the country’s most heroic canines and align your brand with their inspiring stories. Sponsors receive recognition and marketing benefits throughout the nomination and voting rounds starting, as well as during the gala on January 9, 2026.
Contact our Partnership team to learn more.
Hero Dogs Hall of Fame
Meet the hero dogs from past years and discover their inspiring stories
