American Humane Association Announces New "Hero Dog Art Show" For Children In Conjunction With "Blues Clue's" Co-Creator Todd Kessler

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Humane Association, the first national humane organization, is teaming up with Todd Kessler, author of the innovative new children's book "The Good Dog" and the co-creator of the wildly successful "Blue's Clues" television program, for the Hero Dog Art Show. Children of all ages are invited to submit drawings of their own hero dogs for a chance to have their drawings shown on the nationwide television broadcast of the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ on Hallmark Channel on October 30. All participants in the art show will receive personalized commemorative certificates.

The deadline to submit art to be considered for the television broadcast of the Hero Dog Awards is September 1, but the art show will accept submissions through October 15. All entries will be displayed online at www.herodogawards.org and on American Humane Association's Facebook page.

"The Good Dog" follows the adventures of Tako, a puppy adopted by 8-year-old Ricky without his parents' permission. Mom and Dad agree to let Tako stay under one condition: he must be a good dog and always follow the rules, or off to the pound he goes. More than anything, Tako wants to be good and stay with Ricky.  But when the family opens a new bakery in town, a competing bakery owner sets out to secretly sabotage the Happy Family Bakery, and the only way Tako can protect Ricky and his family is to break the rules. Tako and Ricky's family discover that sometimes you have to be a little bit bad to be very good. 

"I'm thrilled to be working with a dynamic and effective organization like the American Humane Association to help spread the 'The Good Dog's' enduring message that hero dogs come in all shapes and sizes," said Kessler. "Adopting a shelter pet can have a significant, positive effect on us as individuals and as a community. I know Tako is looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful drawings of hero dogs."

Kessler is the co-creator and show runner of the highly successful children's television series "Blue's Clues."  As director of the pilot, he helped create an original storybook world unlike anything seen before on television.  He completed over 150 episodes, which now air in over 30 countries around the world.

His philosophy is that children yearn to engage in a longer format of storytelling and will stay enthusiastically focused if the plot and characters are smart and compelling. This is the same theory that drove the success of "Blue's Clues," which was the first educational children's television series with a continuous half-hour narrative. Kessler has now translated his concepts to a new genre "The Good Dog" which features a significantly more complex and longer narrative than typical books aimed at children ages 3 to 6.

Kessler's artistic and innovative work has garnered him the prestigious Peabody Award, seven Emmy nominations, two Television Critics Association awards, five Parent's Choice awards, first place in the children's division of the Toronto International Film Festival, and a New York Film Festival Cine Golden Eagle.

"Todd has been such a wonderful influence on America's children for years, and we are so happy to be working with him and Tako the dog for the Hero Dog Art Show," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's President and CEO. "Indeed, his lessons have always been about promoting compassion, caring, and hope, which is also the mission of American Humane Association. Tako is not just a good dog, but he is a hero dog, and this art show is our way of recognizing that."

Presented by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards seek to identify and recognize America's Hero Dogs – ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it's saving lives, lending sight or hearing to those in need, or just welcoming us home at the end of a hard day.

For more information about the Hero Dog Art Show and to submit your child's drawing, please visit www.herodogawards.org/hero-dog-art-show. While there, be sure to submit a vote for your favorite 2014 Hero Dog Awards finalist every day until September 15.

About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

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SOURCE American Humane Association