American Humane Association Announces Star-Studded Lineup For 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With just a few weeks to go until the fourth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™, American Humane Association, the country's first national humane organization, is revealing the roster of talent to appear at the star-studded Hollywood event. Co-hosted by football legend Terry Bradshaw and actress and animal advocate Beth Stern, the gala event at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday September 27 will celebrate eight courageous canines, all vying for the coveted title of 2014 American Hero Dog. Pop vocal group Wilson Phillips will be the featured musical entertainment for the evening, performing several well-known hits from their catalogue. The show will be taped by Mersey Masala Productions for a nationwide broadcast on Hallmark Channel on October 30. The producers are Paul Flattery and Irene Crinita and the director is Dennis Rosenblatt.

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. The evening will also feature the presentation of the first-ever American Humane Association Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician Awards™, presented by Zoetis following a nationwide search to find and recognize the achievements of the top veterinary professionals in the country.

Stars from the stage and screen will come together to pay tribute to this year's crop of heroic hounds and their handlers on the other end of the leash. Together, they will walk the red carpet and then attend the gala in the same room where the Golden Globes are filmed each year. Comedic legend and "Saturday Night Live" veteran Martin Short, "America's Got Talent" winner and Las Vegas entertainer Terry Fator, and "CSI: NY" star Gary Sinise will all contribute special pre-taped segments to the show.

Featured presenters for the evening include "America's Veterinarian" Dr. Marty Becker, Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, world-renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, "NCIS" star Pauley Perrette, television and movie star Billy Baldwin, "Desperate Housewives" star James Denton, "Nashville" star Charlotte Ross, and more to be announced soon. As the television broadcast partner for the show, Hallmark Channel has enlisted many of its own stars to also appear at the Hero Dog Awards as presenters, including Larry Miller, Lori Loughlin, Lacey Chabert, Mark Steines, Cristina Ferrare, Bailee Madison, Barbara Niven, and Kellie Martin. Reality television star Lisa Vanderpump and her famous Pomeranian Giggy will also do a special live auction during the show.

The 2014 American Hero Dog will be determined by the public and a panel of select special celebrity judges, including country superstar Naomi Judd, philanthropists and animal advocates Philippe and Ashlan Gorse Cousteau, "The Bachelor" Prince Lorenzo Borghese, "True Blood" star Kristin Bauer van Straten, actress Christie Brooke, "Tough Love Miami" star Leilani Dowding, "Saving Mr. Banks" actress Victoria Summer, actress and animal advocate Alison Eastwood, actress Emmanuelle Vaugier, supermodel Joanna Krupa, NASCAR driver Blake Koch, actor Lou Wegner, singer Shara Strand, Hollywood talent manager Joanne Horowitz, businesswoman and philanthropist Paige Dunham, and 2011's Law Enforcement/Arson Dog Category winner Sadie and Jerry Means, along with Lisa Vanderpump, Victoria Stilwell,  and Bailee Madison.

"We have such an incredible roster of talent set to appear at the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's president and CEO. "But of course, the brightest shining stars in attendance that evening will be our eight amazing Hero Dogs and their courageous handlers. It's going to be an incredible evening, and I can't wait to see who America has chosen as its 2014 American Hero Dog."

For ticket information for the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards, please call 202-841-6080 or email [email protected].

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.

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 different 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.  Over the last 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, a summer camp program serving thousands of underprivileged children and a groundbreaking new program with American Humane Association in Palm Beach County. Lois Pope has recently donated two Lois Pope Red Star 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 emergency services within the region. To learn more visit www.life-edu.org or call 561.582.8083.

About Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 86 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of TV movies; original scripted series, including Cedar Cove, When Calls the Heart, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered; specials such as Kitten Bowl; as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. The channel is also home to Daytime Emmy-nominated lifestyle program, Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

For more information, please visit www.crownmediapress.com
Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter (Join the conversation at #HeartofTV), Pinterest, GetGlue, YouTube

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) 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 and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2013, the company generated annual revenues of $4.6 billion. With approximately 9,800 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2014, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 28 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit https://www.zoetisus.com.

Zoetis is the proud sponsor, with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, of the mobile educational exhibit Animal Connections: Our Journey Together. Families visiting the exhibit will explore the vast bonds between people and animals and learn about the important role veterinarians play in protecting animal and human health. For more information, visit http://www.zoetis.com/animal-connections-tour.

About The Beverly Hilton
Opened in 1955 by distinguished hotelier Conrad Hilton, The Beverly Hilton, a Forbes Four-Star hotel, is owned by the Los Angeles-based, Oasis West Realty, LLC and managed by Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT). Nestled at the crossroads of the iconic Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards, the hotel combines the excitement and entertainment of Hollywood with the prestige of Beverly Hills.  The 569-room hotel features 101 suites including nine private luxury suites within The Penthouse Collection. With more than 60,000 square feet of indoor and open-air event space, The Beverly Hilton boasts the most technologically advanced meeting space of its kind in the country. The hotel's renowned International Ballroom plays host to glamorous annual events including the Golden Globe Awards Show, Oscar Nominee Luncheon, Pre-GRAMMYs Gala, and the Milken Institute's Global Conference. The legendary Aqua Star Pool is Beverly Hills' largest pool and is the setting for numerous recognizable photo shoots. The adjoining Aqua Star BABOR Beauty Spa offers red carpet-ready treatments from BABOR Beauty in a secluded setting. Circa 55 restaurant entices guests with locally-sourced cuisine in a stylish setting overlooking the pool, while Trader Vic's Lounge, a Hollywood staple for generations, offers a lively scene with Polynesian flair. For more information, please visit www.beverlyhilton.com or call 310.274.7777.

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SOURCE American Humane Association