Plot Synopsis

The HERO DOG AWARDS were created in 2010 by the American Humane Association to celebrate the devoted relationship between dogs and people. Dogs may be nominated in eight categories: Law Enforcement & Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Hearing Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs (the category for ordinary dogs doing extraordinary things). Finalists in each category are judged by a blue-ribbon panel consisting of both celebrities and animal experts. On November 11, 2011, Hallmark Channel aired the first ceremony, which was hosted by Carson Kressley and held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on October 1.

The third annual HERO DOG AWARDS, hosted by Joey Lawrence, took place on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the Beverly Hilton in Hollywood, and the event was televised on Hallmark Channel on Wednesday, October 30 from 8-10pm ET/PT. Lawrence was joined by the celebrity presenters: Betty White, Bailee Madison, Danielle Fishel, Naomi Judd, Pauley Perrette, Ryan O'Neal, Jennifer Coolidge, Lori Loughlin, Matt Leinart, Lisa Vanderpump, Daphne Zuniga, Rico Rodriguez, Victoria Stilwell, and many more.

James Denton and Beth Stern co-hosted the fourth annual HERO DOG AWARDS, which was taped before a live audience on September 27, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and premiered one month later on Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. Denton and Stern were accompanied by other stars and celebrities, including Bailee Madison, Kellie Martin, Lori Loughlin, Lacey Chabert, Bruce Boxleitner, Philippe and Ashlan Gorse Cousteau, Cristina Ferrare, Marlee Matlin, Brandon McMillan, Larry Miller, Barbara Niven, Pauley Perrette, Charlotte Ross, Mark Steines, Victoria Stilwell, and more. In addition to naming this year's American Hero Dog, the HERO DOG AWARDS honored seven other top dogs, while also celebrating the top veterinary professionals in the country by presenting the first-ever American Humane Association Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician Awards.

Hosted for the second consecutive year by television and film star James Denton and model and animal advocate Beth Stern, the 2015 AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION HERO DOG AWARDS were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 21 and broadcast nationally on Hallmark Channel on Friday, October 30 from 8-10pm ET/PT. Featuring musical performances by John Ondrasik's Five for Fighting, a segment with Fred Willard with spokes-dog Happy the Dog, and skits from Kevin Nealon and Eric Stonestreet, the event was also highlighted by appearances from Michelle Beadle, Bruce Boxleitner, Lacey Chabert, Cristina Ferrare, Derek Hough, Bindi Irwin, Kym Johnson, Bailee Madison, Cameron Mathison, Brandon McMillan, Pauley Perrette, Charlotte Ross, Mark Steines, Jade Roper, Alison Sweeney, Lea Thompson, Tanner Tolbert, and more.

Three-time hosts James Denton and Beth Stern hosted the 2016 AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION HERO DOG AWARDS, which were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 10 and broadcast nationally on Hallmark Channel on Friday, October 28 from 8-10pm ET/PT, with a simulcast on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Katharine McPhee headlined as the musical act at the sixth annual event, with the following celebrity presenters: Derek Hough, Bindi Irwin, Danica McKellar, Pauley Perrette, Alison Sweeney, Lea Thompson, Mark Steines, Cristina Ferrare, Alicia Witt, Kym Johnson, Fred Willard, Cameron Mathison, Barbara Niven, Bruce Boxleitner, Brandon McMillan, and Michelle Beadle.

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 from 8-10pm ET/PT, Hallmark Channel premiered the 2017 AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION HERO DOG AWARDS, hosted by Beth Stern and James Denton for the fourth consecutive year. This year, Jay Leno and Billy Crystal provided pre-taped video skits, and Richard Marx headlined as the lead musical act. In addition, the event -- which was taped at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, September 16 -- featured these celebrity presenters: Bailee Madison, Kellie Martin, Barbara Niven, Josie Bissett, Lacey Chabert, Danielle Fishel, Vivica Fox, Daisy Fuentes, Carrie Ann Inaba, Debbie Matenopolous, Cameron Mathison, Danica McKellar, Brandon McMillan, Alexa and Carolos Penavega, Mark Steines, Alison Sweeney, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Alicia Witte and more. Abigail, the canine named as the 2017 American Hero Dog, was chosen through a combination of public votes and voting by a panel of animal advocates and celebrity judges including Jennifer Arnold, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Philippe and Ashlan Gorse Cousteau, Carolyn Hennesy, Joanne Horowitz, Blake Koch, Bailee Madison, Adrienne Maloof, Agent Jerry Means, Laura Nativo, Shara Strand, Lisa Vanderpump, and Lou Wegner.

Hosted by Beth Stern and James Denton for the fifth consecutive year, the 2018 AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS premiered on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. Nationwide popular votes totaling over one million and a panel of celebrity judges determined which of the seven finalists was named the 2018 American Hero Dog. Whether publicly or privately, each of the dogs being honored has provided a valuable service and underscores how animals can enhance our lives. Actor Dean Cain narrated the video packages woven into the two-hour tribute special that tell the moving and poignant stories of these courageous canines. Culminating the evening was the announcement that Chi Chi, a four-year-old, quadruple amputee Golden Retriever serving as a therapy dog earned top honors as the 2018 American Hero Dog. Plus, Beth Stern receives the first ever "Adoption Ever After" Award, recognizing her efforts to end the homeless pet population. Celebrity presenters for the eighth annual event, which was held at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, September 29, include: Bailee Madison, Kellie Martin, Ariel Winter, Dr. Marty Becker, Erik Estrada, Danielle Fishel, Jerry O'Connell, Debbie Matenopoulos, Cameron Mathison, Brandon McMillan, Barbara Niven, Denise Richards, Rebecca Romijn, Alison Sweeney, and Larissa Wohl.

The 2019 AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS, hosted by Beth Stern and James Denton for the sixth consecutive year, premiered on Monday, October 21, 2019 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. Seven courageous canines are featured, but only one dog is awarded the 2019 American Hero Dog title. A combination of America's voting, which includes over one million public votes, and a panel of celebrity judges determine which dog takes home the title. The event took place two weeks earlier at The International Ballroom at The Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 5, 2019, features these celebrity presenters: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Trevor Donovan, Danielle Fishel, Kellie Martin, Debbie Matenopoulos, Cameron Mathison, Brandon McMillan, Barbara Niven, Roselyn Sanchez, Eric Winter, Larissa Wohl, and more.

The 2020 AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS is a virtual event hosted by Carson Kressley, who also fronted the inaugural event. VIP Presenters include Vivica A. Fox, Faithe Herman, Naomi Judd, General Spider Marks (Ret.), Debbie Matenopoulos, Cameron Mathison, Barbara Niven, Ross Mathews, Marcus Scribner, Alison Sweeney, Nick and Joanna Swisher, and Ariel Winter. Plus, Grammy-winning singer Lisa Loeb will perform, and Larissa Wohl and Nick and Joanna Swisher will present a special award to Lance Bass for his humane efforts. The evening honors seven courageous canines whose work has improved and saved lives, and will reveal which dog will be honored with the country's top "American Hero Dog" title for 2020. The winner, one of 408 original entrants, was determined on the basis of more than one million votes by the American public and the deliberations of a panel of celebrity judges, including Jamie Chung, Erik Estrada, Danielle Fishel, Daniel Henney, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Marcus Scribner, Alexa and Carlos PenaVega and Ariel Winter.

The 11th annual AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS, hosted by Carson Kressley, was broadcast on Hallmark Drama on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT. The 2021 Hero Dog Awards finalists: Deputy Chance, Sobee, Boone, Henna, K-9 Hansel, Little Man and Staff Sergeant Summer. The event, which took place at the Eau Palm Beach Resort in Palm Beach, FL, featured these celebrities: Nikki DeLoach, Vivica A. Fox, Richard T. Jones, Jason Lewis, Ross Matthews, Barbara Niven, Marcel Spears, Alison Sweeney, Jenna Ushkowitz, EJ Williams and Ariel Winter.

The 2022 AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS was broadcast on the Circle Network on December 6, 2022 at 9pm ET. The show was hosted by Carson Kressley. The seven finalists of the 2022 Hero Dog Awards included: Ethan, the 2022 Shelter Hero Dog sponsored by Lulu's Fund; Iiken M090, the 2022 Military Hero Dog; K9 Riggs, the 2022 Law Enforcement and Detection Hero Dog; Cole the Deaf Dog, the 2022 Therapy Hero Dog sponsored by American Airlines; Recon, the 2022 Service Hero Dog sponsored by Window World; Keb, the 2022 Search and Rescue Hero Dog; and Kinley, the 2022 Guide/Hearing Hero Dog.
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The 13th Annual AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS took place on Friday, November 10, 2023 in Palm Beach, FL, and the awards program aired as a one-hour special on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on FYI. Carson Kressley and Christie Brinkley host. This year's canine nominees covered five categories: therapy, service and guide, military, law enforcement and first responder, and shelter.