More than a million Americans voted on their favorite Hero Dog this year. The VIP panel of canine judges and experts voted on the finalists and then crowned the winner.
This year’s Humane Hero Dog Award went in the paws of the loving four-year-old hound mix named Boone from Butler, Pennsylvania.
This sweet boy who kept his joy for life and helps others in need after surviving abuse won the award among 400 other canines.
The finalists from the seven categories gathered votes from the public. These categories were Law Enforcement/ Detection Dogs, Service Dogs, Military Dogs, Search & Rescue Dogs, Shelter Dogs, Guide/Hearing Dogs, and Therapy Dogs.
Boone was part of the Therapy Dogs category.
The Inspiring Story of the Two-Legged Boone
Boone is a brave dog with only two legs. His two back ones were amputated due to previous abuse. He was fostered by a family that has a soft spot for needy pets. Tanya Diable, his foster mom and later his forever mom says that he’s the calmest dog ever.
She was so moved by his story that she adopted him two days after she had fostered him. They fitted Boone with a wheelchair that improves his mobility.
According to Charley Diable, Boone’s human, when they set up the wheelchair, it was the first time that Boone wagged his tail. Since then, he’s been on a mission, he says.
Boone has a sweet nature and plenty of joy and enthusiasm for life that made him a suitable candidate for a therapy dog.
He’s now visiting children’s hospitals and goes anywhere where they need him to help people cope with stress. Moreover, Boone is an ambassador of Joey’s P.A.W., a non-profit that provides mobility devices for canines.
They’ve already delivered more than 700 such devices to dogs in need in Pittsburgh, but also throughout the country and globally.
Disabled Dogs Also Need Love & A Warm Home
Boone is continuously spreading a message of acceptance of all disabled dogs and encouraging their adoption.
According to the president and CEO of American Humane, the first national humane organization in America, the American Humane Hero Dog Awards was created to honor some of the best heroes in the world and celebrate the unique relationship between people and dogs.
These wonderful canines have been comforting the ill and elderly and saving lives on the battlefield and they deserve to be recognized.
Congrats Boone! You’re really amazing!
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