ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI — A courageous canine from Wayland has been named one of the top 25 semi-finalists in the 2024 Hero Dog Awards.
Hosted by animal welfare organization American Humane, the 15th annual nationwide competition searches for and recognizes America’s standout dogs in five categories: therapy dogs, service and guide dogs, military dogs, law enforcement and first responder dogs, and emerging hero dogs.
Coby, a loyal black Labrador retriever, was introduced in May 2022 as a hearing aid to his human partner by the nonprofit Paws With A Cause. Last October, while crossing a busy intersection, Coby pulled his partner just in time to avoid a speeding fire engine.
The incident, and many others, highlighted how essential Coby’s assistance is.
From the start, Coby and his partner developed a strong bond, but one challenge remained — his way of alerting while walking. Instead of a gentle touch, the black Lab would suddenly sit down, nearly causing a fall.
But those surprises while trying to get his partner’s attention were life-saving. That’s why Coby is not just a service dog, he’s a hero and a protector, a news release said.
Beyond the daily tasks, Coby has helped his partner reconnect with the community, easing fears and opening doors to new relationships.
“We are thrilled for all the incredible dogs that have been nominated for the Hero Dog Awards this year and were inspired by each and every story,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “We cannot wait to celebrate the joy these canines bring to our lives and look forward to seeing the votes come in for the top dog.”
Voting is now open until Wednesday, Oct. 9, as Coby competes to make it to the next and final round of the 2024 Hero Dog Awards.
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