2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards Premieres on Hallmark Channel

Bestselling author Beth Stern and James Denton ("Good Witch," "Desperate Housewives") team up as co-hosts for the "2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards(R)." The annual, star-studded celebration of heroes on both ends of the leash honoring outstanding working dogs from around the country premieres Wednesday, October 24 (8 p.m. ET/PT)on Hallmark Channel.

Nationwide popular votes totaling over one million and a panel of celebrity judges determined which of the seven finalists was named the 2018 American Hero Dog. Whether publicly or privately, each of the dogs being honored has provided a valuable service and underscores how animals can enhance our lives. Woven into the two-hour, tribute special are video packages narrated by actor Dean Cain ("Hit the Floor, "My Winter's Dream") that tell the moving and poignant stories of these courageous canines. Culminating the emotional evening was the announcement that Chi Chi, a four-year-old, quadruple amputee Golden Retriever serving as a therapy dog earned top honors as the 2018 American Hero Dog.

Celebrity presenters included Ariel Winter ("Modern Family"), Dr. Marty Becker (veterinarian/author), Erik Estrada ("CHiPS"), Danielle Fishel ("Girl Meets World"), Jerry O'Connell ("Billions," "Bravo's Play by Play"), Bailee Madison ("Good Witch"), Kellie Martin ("Hailey Dean Mysteries," "ER"), Debbie Matenopoulos ("Home & Family"), Cameron Mathison ("Home & Family," "All My Children"), Brandon McMillan ("Lucky Dog"), Barbara Niven ("Chesapeake Shores"), Denise Richards ("Vanity"), Rebecca Romijn ("The Librarians"), Alison Sweeney ("The Biggest Loser," "Days of Our Lives") and Larissa Wohl ("Home & Family).

The seven 2018 American Hero Dog Award finalists are:

· LAW ENFORCEMENT/ARSON DOG OF THE YEAR (sponsored by K-9 Courage from Zoetis Petcare): "K-9 Flash"from Detroit, Michigan

· EMERGING HERO DOG OF THE YEAR: "Willow" from Las Vegas, Nevada

· GUIDE/HEARING DOG OF THE YEAR: "Frances"from Staten Island, New York

· MILITARY DOG OF THE YEAR (sponsored by K-9 Courage from Zoetis Petcare): "Sgt. Fieldy" from McAllen, Texas

· SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG OF THE YEAR: "Ruby"from East Greenwich, Rhode Island

· SERVICE DOG OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Modern Dog): "Roxy"from Canton, North Carolina

· THERAPY DOG OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food, the Official Pet Food of the 2018 Hero Dog Awards):"Chi Chi" from Phoenix, Arizona

About American Humane

American Humane is the country's first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.

About Lois Pope, The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, Inc., and LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education)

As one of America's leading philanthropists, Lois Pope has positively impacted the lives of individuals at the local, national and international levels. She has established three separate organizations dedicated to helping those in need. These organizations are the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, Inc., Leaders In Furthering Education (LIFE), and the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation. For more than 20 years she has been the driving force behind the Lois Pope LIFE Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine, The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, and a groundbreaking new program with American Humane in Palm Beach County. Lois Pope has recently donated several Lois Pope Rescue Vehicles. Each rescue vehicle is a 50-foot long response unit, complete with a Ford F-350 truck and trailer, which is specifically designed and outfitted to provide an array of animal emergency services and cruelty responses within the region. On October 5, 2014, Mrs. Pope saw the completion of a decades-long dream - the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which was dedicated by President Obama in Washington DC. It will stand in perpetuity as a reminder to the public and legislators of the courage and sacrifices of the four million-plus living disabled veterans and all those who died before them, as well as the need to be vigilant in assuring their support and understanding the human cost of war. Through her advocacy, October 5 every year will serve as a National Day of Honor for disabled veterans. A mother and a grandmother, Lois has trained for and completed five New York City Marathons.

About Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 88 million homes. As the country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark CHANNEL delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature new, original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other new, original content, including scripted primetime series, such as "Good Witch," "When Calls the Heart" and "Chesapeake Shores"; annual specials including "Kitten Bowl"and "Hero Dog Awards"; and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, "Home & Family." Additionally, Hallmark CHANNEL is the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed HALLMARK HALL OF FAME franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark CHANNEL also offers annual holiday programming franchises, including "Countdown to Christmas," "Countdown to Valentine's Day," "Summer Nights," "Fall Harvest" and "Winterfest." Rounding out the network's diverse slate are some of television's most beloved comedies and series, including "The Golden Girls" and "Frasier." Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks. To visit the network website, please visit www.hallmarkchannel.com Hallmark CHANNEL on Social Media: Facebook,Twitter,Pinterest, YouTube

About Zoetis

Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2017, the company generated annual revenue of $5.3 billion with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

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