MEET THE 14 MASSACHUSETTS DOGS COMPETING FOR THE 2021 AMERICAN HERO DOG AWARD

All dogs are good dogs but 14 dogs from Massachusetts are competing to be the 2021 American Hero Dog.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards is an annual competition that searches for America’s Hero Dogs. This year more than 400 dogs were nominated.

They are “often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or simply providing the tail-wagging welcome a pet owner relishes at the end of a hard day,” the website states.

“Our best friends do so much to improve and even save our lives, and every dog owner knows about the extraordinary, unbreakable bond they share with their dog,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane president and CEO. “The American Humane Hero Dog Awards are our way of celebrating the power of the human-animal bond, which has been a core part of our organization’s mission for 144 years.”

There are seven different categories for the Hero Dog Awards, including law enforcement dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, guide dogs and shelter dogs.

Those interested can vote for their favorites in each category until May 6. After that 21 semifinalists, or the top three in each category, will move on to the second round of voting, which will begin May 27. The final round of voting is from July 29 to Sept. 7.

The winners will then be honored on Hallmark Channel through its broadcast of the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in October.

See below to learn more about the dogs from Massachusetts.

Jasper

Jasper is from Raynham. He’s a service dog but he’s much more than that.

“He’s my adventure buddy, therapist, lab partner, and most importantly my best friend,” his owner wrote.

Jake

Jake is a 4-year-old yellow lab from Shelburne Falls. He’s also a service dog “and he’s been my complete life saver,” the owner wrote.

Felix

Felix is a service dog, bodyguard and wingman at the Hanscom Air Force Base.

“From the moment Felix was given to me, I felt a connection,” his owner wrote. “Maybe it was because I had kibble, but I couldn’t believe how attentive he was. He was constantly fixated on me.”

Aegon

Aegon is a service dog from Brimfield. The dog’s owner was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and said Aegon is helping with that.

“My dog, Aegon, has become even more important to me and helps to maintain my sense of independence as I relearn that my tics and activities are in fact not harmful or disruptive, but key to how I experience the world,” the owner wrote.

Buddy

Buddy is a shelter dog from Brockton.

“Buddy’s first act of heroism occurred when he was about a year old,” the owner wrote. “My wife was very sick with bronchitis and asthma. While seated in the living room she passed out after a coughing fit, and was awakened by his tongue licking her eyes.”

Rocco

Rocco is a therapy dog from East Weymouth who was always “destined for an amazing purpose.”

“From the moment I first viewed Rocco’s adoption video, I realized that he was destined for an amazing purpose that would bring unconditional love and joy to many throughout his lifetime,” the owner wrote. “Rocco has a significant desire to interact with humans, often attempting to “speak” to them softly and lean in for a hug.”

Mia

Mia is a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier service dog from Billerica. Although she’s only 4 pounds, “she has saved my life multiple times,” the owner wrote.

“Mias most used tasks are her medical alerts,” the owner said. “She alerts me to sounds, lights ,my heart rate, and if I am going to get dizzy.”

Klee

Klee is a service dog from North Andover.

“Klee came into my life during a time when I needed a friend. I had been hospitalized for a medical condition and was feeling discouraged,” the owner wrote. “I was a nerdy, shy, twelve year old with lofty dreams of becoming a veterinarian.”

Lucy

Lucy is a service dog from Canton. But she’s also a shelter dog.

“She was taken to a shelter where she was terrified and sick,” the owner wrote. “I adopted her, and took her up to Massachusetts. She had never known people, never known a home, and I was just expecting her to be a regular pet dog.”

Willow

Willow is a service dog that lives in Somerset.

“My daughter suffers from POTS syndrome, connective tissue disease, IBS and a pain syndrome,” the owner wrote. “Willow never leaves her side. Willow is there comforting my daughter anytime she is having medical issues and demonstrates bravery when my daughter passes out and knows how to help wake her up and get her up off the floor.”

Handsome

Handsome is a “smooth collie” and service dog in Methuen.

“He has changed my life by providing tasks in order to make life livable,” the owner wrote. “He’s still in training but even with the fact that he is still learning he is doing so well and as he gets older he will be even better.”

Rosie

Rosie is a shelter dog from Melrose who likes to get all dressed up for her birthday.

“Rosie has had a hard life,” the owner wrote. “She was used for breeding in Kansas. She was not let out of her cage, had a mouth full of rotting teeth, was not socialized, and has never seen things that most dogs have seen.”

O’Hara

O’Hara is the only dog in the guide/hearing dog section from Massachusetts. She is from Canton.

“Once while crossing a street, I gave O’Hara her ‘forward’ command,” the owner wrote. “While we were about halfway across the road, an oncoming car decided they no longer wanted to wait for us to fully cross … Without hesitation, O’Hara pulled me safely to the curb with purpose. As I realized what had happened, I leaned down next to her crying. Hugging her, I thanked her for saving my life. If I had been using a white cane, this story may have ended differently.”

Rookie

Rookie is a service dog in Southbridge, and has saved his owner twice.

“Once when I fell and broke my tailbone and was unable to feel below my waist for a period, he helped me get back to my home to call for help,” the owner wrote. “My family feels much better about the fact that I live alone, but not really with Rookie at my side. He truly is an Angel in golden fur.”