American Humane award nominates dogs who comfort sick children and leap out of helicopters.

Five exceptional dogs are enhancing the well-being of others, both physically and mentally, and are now receiving national recognition for their efforts.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards recognized exceptional dogs for their outstanding work in various fields. The organization, based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1877 and is the country's first national humane organization dedicated to animal welfare.

The competition highlights the top dogs in five categories: military, law enforcement, service, therapy, and emerging hero or shelter dogs in America.

In April, numerous dog owners nationwide submitted their pets' names for the "Hero Dog" contest.

In November, a gala in Palm Beach, Florida, will honor the winning dogs in each category as they walk, sniff, and run down a red carpet.

Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that the canine heroes of this year are "unsung heroes."

""These inspiring canine heroes, who sniff out criminals, leap out of helicopters, comfort sick children and more, are a winner in their category and deserve recognition for serving their communities and our country," she said."

American Humane honors unsung heroes who make the world a better, kinder place.

American Humane has revealed the top five dogs in their categories in anticipation of their annual event.

Military: Niki

Niki is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix residing in Seattle, Washington.

In 2021, she joined the U.S. Coast Guard and works with her human partner, Petty Officer Alicia Horn, to detect explosives.

Niki has completed over 250 high-stakes operations and logged more than 4,000 working hours protecting the American public, according to the American Humane. She has also helped safeguard the safety and security of the Washington State Ferries by boarding over 250 vessels.

The shepherd mix is renowned for being a hero in her community. She frequently visits schools to educate children about military dogs and their handlers.

Law enforcement & first response: Bo

Since he was just eight months old, Bo, an 18-month-old bloodhound male from Gastonia, North Carolina, has been working with the Gastonia Police Department and saving lives and solving crimes.

In 2023, the police department selected him from a litter of puppies to begin his career in law enforcement, a decision that his handler, Sgt. David Rowland, is pleased with.

Rowland's family grew fond of him as he brought Bo home during training to strengthen their bond.

The Gastonia Police Department had never had a bloodhound breed before Bo, according to American Humane.

Bo has located many lost senior citizens.

Bo, a bloodhound, defied the stereotype of being easily frightened and gentle, making him an ideal K-9 officer pick, according to American Humane.

Bo, despite still being scared of Halloween decorations, is able to comfort people he finds and track down, making him a valuable asset. Since he started working, Bo has located a missing 11-year-old child with autism, a 7-year-old kidnapping victim, and many lost senior citizens.

Service: Sampson

An 11-year-old golden retriever service dog named Sampson is being considered for the American Humane Hero Dog Award.

A service dog from Sierra Vista, Arizona, recently retired after spending years with his partner, Joey, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and over 23 broken bones in an accident in 2006.

For almost a decade, Joey relied on Sampson's support to recover and adapt to a new lifestyle.

Joey revealed to American Humane that Sampson mastered over 245 commands to aid her in her recovery. Notably, he was able to access the medicine cabinet, retrieve the appropriate medication, and deliver it to Joey, followed by a bottle of water to swallow the pills.

Joey faced challenges in bringing Sampson into science labs when she decided to pursue a neuroscience degree after her accident due to concerns about contamination and safety hazards.

Sampson, who was initially excluded from participating in science research, eventually earned the nickname "Science Service Dog" after his owner fought hard to include him. Now, the pair advocates for service dog handlers in science, with Sampson enjoying his golden years off-duty.

Therapy: Dayo

This year, the American Humane Hero Dog Award nominee is a nine-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback male dog who excels in therapy work.

In Winston, Oregon, Pancake, a baby cheetah, had Dayo, a Dublin, California, puppy as his companion at the Wildlife Safari.

Pancake, Dayo, and the cheetah were born on the same day. They grew up together as pseudo-siblings until Pancake tragically passed away in 2017 from health complications.

Officials removed Dayo from the zoo and placed him with Liz, who utilized his lovable personality and emotional intelligence as a therapy dog, as per American Humane.

Dayo spreads love and hope to those in need at various life-changing facilities, including the George Mark Children's House, Camp Erin, and Children's Hospital.

Shelter: Penny

A four-year-old mixed breed dog from Louisville, Kentucky, was named a finalist in the shelter dog category.

In 2020, Penny was saved after being abandoned on the roadside following being ejected from a moving vehicle, as per American Humane.

Two high school teachers immediately fell in love with the three-legged dog at first sight, according to American Humane.

For over a year, Penny was helped by foster parents to learn how to walk again. They eventually adopted her into their home.

Penny is described as trusting, loving, and gentle, with no signs of physical or emotional trauma.

As an advocate for stricter anti-animal abuse laws, she works as a therapy dog for children of all ages, according to the American Humane.

The American Humane Hero Dog Award for 2024 will be announced on November 8th.