[Flagdu] 2012 Hero Dog Awards

[Patricia A. Lipovsky]

2012 Hero Dog Awards

Nominations are being accepted for the 2012 Hero Dog Awards until March 26.

This event sponsored by the American Humane Association spotlights the 
contributions that dogs are making to society in eight categories.

Those of us with assistance dogs are invited to share our story with the 
public by submitting a Nomination in the Service Dog, Hearing Dog or Guide 
Dog
category to raise awareness about the work performed by assistance dogs and 
their impact on the life of a disabled person.

This is a wonderful way to honor your canine partner. All you need is a good 
photo and a description, 250 words or less, explaining why your assistance
dog is a hero from your point of view. ( NOTE: The photo must be taken in 
the last twelve months. [Studio photos by professional photographers are not
eligible] according to the rules )

Each team gets to select a Charity Partner when they nominate their 
assistance

dog.

Voting by the public commences April 1, 2012. The highest online vote getter 
in each category will win a $5000 grant for their Charity Partner.

Finalists in each category will be judged by a blue ribbon panel consisting 
of both celebrities and animal experts to determine the winning American 
Hero
Dog. If your dog is chosen, you will win an additional $10,000 grant for 
your Charity Partner! This year's judges include Whoopi Goldberg, Candy 
Spelling,
"America's Veterinarian" Dr. Marty Becker, Prince Lorenzo Borghese and many 
other notable names.

The finalists will receive their award at a celebrity filled event which 
will be filmed and later broadcast on the Hallmark Channel in the Fall of 
2012.
In addition, there are prizes for the First, Second and Third Place in each 
category.

Complete rules and entry information can be obtained by visiting

www.herodogawards.org

Tips for those who want to do fundraising for their Charity Partner .... To 
seek votes from the public for your canine hero, send your Nomination story
to local newspapers, churches, veterinary clinics, grooming salons and pet 
food stores. You can print up business cards for supporters to hand out with
your dog's photo and the voting site URL. ( stationary stores carry card 
stock which allows you to print your own cards using Avery's free website 
software
). Reach out through Facebook, Twitter, other social networking sites, 
asking someone to help you if need be. Get your family and friends involved 
in assisting
you to raise up to $15,000 in grants for your Charity Partner. The winner in 
the 2011 Service Dog category, Patti, confided she sent many stories about
her partnership with Zurich, trained by Canine Companions for Independence, 
to voters to keep them interested in voting for her every day during the 
voting
phase.

Submitted by Sarah Calhoun