Victoria Stilwell: It's Me or the Hero Dog!

American Humane Association's Hero Dog Awards™, Presented by CESAR® Canine Cuisine,  Taps Animal Planet Star

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Humane Association has announced Animal Planet's It's Me or the Dog star Victoria Stilwell to lead the expert judging panel for the Hero Dog Awards presented by CESAR® Canine Cuisine. The Hero Dog Awards contest, underway now at www.herodogawards.org, recognizes the powerful relationship between dogs and people and celebrates the many benefits of animals and people sharing their lives together.

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"Quite possibly the most exciting part of the Hero Dog Awards will be the competition in the Emerging Heroes category," American Humane Association President and Chief Executive Officer Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D., says.  "The Emerging Heroes category is for ordinary dogs doing extraordinary things and we could not think of a better person than Victoria Stilwell to lead our expert judging panel."

As the understanding of animal behavior and science expands, new opportunities arise to recognize the strength in the partnership between people and dogs. Not only are pet dogs, many of them rescued or adopted from shelters, instinctively saving the lives of their human owners, but ordinary dogs are also emerging as real heroes in fields such as cancer detection and lending support to traumatized children suffering from abuse or neglect.  

"The Hero Dog Awards celebrate the animals we love and the people who care for them on a daily basis," says Victoria Stilwell.  "While my job on television is to restore harmony in homes where pets are running riot and the family is in the dog house, I am excited to celebrate and honor the dogs and people sharing a mutually valuable relationship for the Hero Dog Awards."

Victoria Stilwell, who is also a national ambassador for the American Humane Association, is best known for her role as the host of Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog and as a judge on CBS' Greatest American Dog.  Stilwell is a passionate advocate for positive-reinforcement training methods that enhance a dog's ability to learn while increasing his confidence. The results are a healthy, well-adjusted pet. Named 2009's Dog Trainer of the Year, Victoria is certified by Animal Behavior and Training Associates and is a proud member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Hero Dogs may be nominated in eight categories at www.herodogawards.org: Law Enforcement and Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Hearing Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs. Nominations close on May 31, 2011, and voting by the general public will begin on June 1, 2011. Finalists in each category will be judged by a blue-ribbon panel consisting of both celebrities and animal experts, to determine the winning American Hero Dog. The winning American Hero Dog will be announced at the first-ever American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ celebrity gala, presented by CESAR® Canine Cuisine, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2011.  

Sixteen participating charities have a chance to receive a share of $50,000 in grant prizes awarded by the Hero Dog Awards. The Pine Street Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Association are the official charity partners for the Emerging Hero Dogs category.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals 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 CESAR® Canine Cuisine

CESAR® Canine Cuisine is an exceptional line of high quality cuisine and treats for small to medium sized dogs. We offer individually prepared entrees available in two textures, original pate and gourmet filets in sauce. From the filet mignon flavor to CESAR SUNRISE breakfast entrees, CESAR® CANINE CUISINE features a variety of irresistible flavors and caters to the taste of small to medium sized dogs. Visit www.cesar.com to learn more.

SOURCE American Humane Association