Philanthropist and Champion of Veterans and Animals Lois Pope Pledges $150,000 in Support of American Humane Association's Efforts with Vets & Military Dogs

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 , 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following an emotional scene during the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ in which the audience met a Marine who was reunited with his beloved former military hero dog, noted philanthropist, animal welfare and disabled veterans advocate Lois Pope announced a pledge of $150,000 to support American Humane Association's efforts to aid and pay tribute to the nation's brave military hero dogs and their heroic handlers. American Humane Association and its allies at Mission K9 Rescue and the U.S. War Dog Association have been working to bring home and reunite military and contract working dogs with their battle buddies from war zones and military bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan and other areas.

After hearing the profound stories of military hero dogs and their hero handlers like Marine Corporal Foster and military dog Mick, who were brought back together after a year apart following their service in Afghanistan, Mrs. Pope is donating $50,000 to the American Humane Association's "K9 Battle Buddies program" to bring more of these veterans back together on American soil where they can both live out their well-deserved retirements in the way they deserve after a lifetime of service. To bring national attention to these heroes on both ends of the leash, Mrs. Pope is also underwriting a $100,000 special effort to include these military hero dog teams in this year's America's Parade, which takes place on Veterans Day 2014 in New York City. Her generous contribution will give these reunited dog teams their own part in the parade – and a national platform so that millions of Americans can honor them as they should be honored.

With an estimated 2,500 military working dogs and contract working dogs working side by side with soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the need has never been greater to bring all our military hero dogs home. The dogs have noses that are 100,000 times more sensitive than humans', giving them an unparalleled ability to sniff out and detect weapons caches and Improvised Explosive Devices. It is estimated that each military working dog saves the lives of between 150-200 service members.

In July, American Humane Association and three military hero dog teams it helped reunite went to Capitol Hill to make an urgent case to the nation, members of Congress, the national media, and the general public for bringing home all four-footed veterans who save lives on the battlefield and on the homefront. The congressional briefing, "Military dogs take the Hill: Reunification and retirement of military dogs," centered on a message urging America and its leaders to work on behalf of these brave dogs and honor their service after retirement.

"The thousands of dogs who serve in our nation's military have sacrificed so much," said Mrs. Pope. "They are often the first line of defense, sniffing out bombs, mines, and other explosive devices. As they did on the battlefield, they can save lives here at home, just by being a companion to the veterans with whom they served.  I've witnessed the profound impact that these dogs can have on them. It is my honor to support the efforts of American Humane Association, its K9 Battle Buddies program and its participation in the Veterans Day parade."

"Lois Pope has been one of the country's greatest supporters not only of our nation's disabled veterans, whose cause she has championed for decades, but of America's most vulnerable children and animals," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's President and CEO. "You don't just talk the talk, you make a difference in millions of lives and improve our world. Lois, on behalf of all our veterans -- two-footed and four-footed alike -- we salute you!"

Lois Pope, who is a board member of American Humane Association, has long been an advocate not only for children and animals, but for the nation's disabled veterans. She is renowned for her work with the Disabled Veterans' Life Memorial Foundation, bringing recognition to those who have sacrificed so much to keep Americans safe.

The 2014 America's Parade will occur on November 11 and will feature more than 20,000 participants in hundreds of marching units who will follow a parade route through the streets of Manhattan, viewed by an estimated half million spectators. American Humane Association and its K9 Battle Buddies collaborators will comprise the exclusive group to feature military dogs marching in the parade, which is broadcast to millions of people in top media markets around the country including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and many more cities.

You may see the story of Corporal Foster and Mick, as well as the remarkable donation made by Lois Pope during the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™, which are presented by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, and will be broadcast nationally on Hallmark Channel on October 30 at 8 pm ET/PT, 7 pm Central.

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.

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SOURCE American Humane Association