On Oct. 1, we honored America’s Hero Dogs at our American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™, presented by cesar® canine cuisine, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. But we weren’t the only ones paying tribute to these brave canines. This summer, I had invited all 50 governors to recognize these magnificent animals by issuing proclamations declaring Oct. 1 as American Humane Association Hero Dog Day in their respective states.
I’m thrilled to announce that the proclamations have been rolling in and, as of today, we have received word from 30 governors that they were honoring Hero Dogs this past Saturday. These gorgeous proclamations arrived at my office from all over this great land — from Gov. Sean Parnell in Alaska to Gov. Neil Abercrombie in Hawaii, north to Maine with Gov. Paul LePage and down to my home state of North Carolina’s Gov. Bev Perdue, and everywhere in between.
I’m proud to know that so many of our nation’s governors also recognize the important work thousands of dogs in each state do every day to keep millions of Americans safe, healthy and happy. Hero Dogs come in all shapes, sizes and breeds. We should never lose sight of the heroism that comes on four legs, and Oct. 1 was a day to go to the dogs, literally.
We invite you to share in the excitement and emotion of the Hero Dog Awards gala. This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, we hope you will join us in watching the television debut of the Hero Dog Awards on Hallmark Channel. This special broadcast features eight extraordinary dogs in eight categories whom you and thousands of others throughout the nation selected from more than 500 entries, all leading up to us honoring Roselle — your choice for America’s Hero Dog.
Here’s the current list of states whose governors proclaimed Oct. 1 as American Humane Association Hero Dog Day:
Alaska, Governor Sean Parnell
Arizona, Governor Janice Brewer
Colorado, Governor John Hickenlooper
Connecticut, Governor Dan Malloy
Hawaii, Governor Neil Abercrombie
Idaho, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter
Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn
Indiana, Governor Mitch Daniels
Kansas, Governor Sam Brownback
Maine, Governor Paul LePage
Maryland, Governor Martin O’Malley
Michigan, Governor Rick Snyder
Mississippi, Governor Haley Barbour
Missouri, Governor Jay Nixon
Montana, Governor Brian Schweitzer
Nebraska, Governor David Heineman
Nevada, Governor Brian Sandoval
New Hampshire, Governor John Lynch
New Mexico, Governor Susana Martinez
North Carolina, Governor Bev Perdue
Ohio, Governor John Kasich
Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin
Oregon, Governor John Kitzhaber
Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Corbett
Tennessee, Governor Bill Haslam
Utah, Governor Gary R. Herbert
Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell
Washington, Governor Christine O. Gregoire
West Virginia, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker
7 comments
Thank you all Governors! Especially, JOHN KASICH!!!
Please go to http://www.herodogawards.org to see my 3.5 lb “CHICO” Chihuahua. CHICO & I are both native Ohioans!!!CHICO is my Registered Service Dog and has been nominated for the 2012 HERO DOG. I am so proud of my precious one and angel.
CHICO went from neglected/abused on the freezing winter streets of Cleveland in 2008 to a truly amazing human-like ‘angel’.
CHICOs is extrodinary and so is his story!
Please tell everyone you know to:
Vote for CHICO!!!
I believe this is so needed, the hero dogs risk their lives to save others. What a wonderful way for everyone to share the stories of the hero dogs in our lives. May God bless each and everyone.
I see Georgia is Not on this Glorious list. Please tell me the Best avenue to inform our Govenor that I’d like our state to be Included in Honoring-Hero Dogs. I think this is amazing & important- to Finally shine the light on these Intelligent & Wonderful dogs; and how they’ve Truly changed peoples’ lives!!
I love dogs, we have 2 GSD’s and they are spoiled! We love them!
I am sure that if a catastrophe of any kind should strike some of the nation’s most populous cities located in the state of California, that service dogs and rescue dogs from all over would be put to use as heros in such incidents.
It is shameful that the governor of California has yet to get on board with the October 1 declaration of ‘American Humane Association Hero Dog Day’. Just because California has not suffered an opportune incident is no reason not to give thanks for what these dogs are ready, willing and able to do.
Governor Brown: Go fetch! Retrieve that declaration so the state of California is shown to be the appreciative state it can and should be.
Why isnt California (one of the states with the largest Military base) NOT on this list?
I am very disappointed to see that Massachusetts is not on the list. To Gov. Deval Patrick: Why not???
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