John D and the ASDA team traveled to Hollywood this past weekend to attend the American Humane Association’s third annual Hero Dog Awards. While there, we met several amazing dogs and people from around the country with inspiring stories. Elle, a gentle and loving pit bull from North Carolina, and the overall winner this year, is changing opinions with her therapy dog reading program called "Tail Wagging Tales.” We’re so grateful for the opportunity to meet her and the other heroes!

ASDA President, Donna Waugh, accepted the  Search and Rescue Hero Dog award on behalf of John D. Donna’s acceptance speech was a touching tribute to the ASDA team, our UAMS researchers, and the profound work ethic of our four-legged team members. 

The bright event, attended by starlets and pooches alike, will be televised on the Hallmark Channel on October 30, 2013.

We're so excited to tell you John D has been recognized for his boundless commitment to search and rescue! As you might recall, John D wrote a moving letter asking for your support as he entered the 2013 Hero Dog Award contest. We absolutely could not have done it without you and your votes, so thank you so much for helping JohnD, our team, and the Sage Foundation for Dogs Who Serve gain national visibility through the American Humane Society.

Voting for the overall Hero Dog of the Year begins on August 6th. We'll post the voting link soon!


John D will have Hollywood producers visit in August to showcase his talents. Stay tuned for upcoming news, images and video.

I am a nominee for The American Humane Association 2013 Hero Dog of the Year.  I started life in a shelter, then got adopted and started my career as a Search and Rescue dog 4 1/2 years ago.  I find missing and deceased people during tragedies. I also get called in for water recoveries after someone has drowned. I am the one who finds the victim so their family can have closure.  It is always terribly sad, but I feel it's my calling to help people. One of those searches made a very deep impression on my heart.  A mother whispered to me that I was her only hope to find her child. She put her faith in dogs. Then she hugged me and we looked straight into each other's eyes. There was a bond I can't describe, but it was there. At that moment, I made a silent promise that I would not let her down.

I  went out on the river and we searched for hours. Each time we got to a certain place on the water, I dipped my head and touched it with my nose. Everyone on the boat knew what that meant. But the tough part for a search team is that you can't confirm anything to the family until the victim is brought up out of the water and identified. Sometimes we find a person, but it isn't the person we thought we were looking for. Sometimes, it is too dangerous to recover the victim and there is nothing you can do. But I'd made a promise and I knew who I had found.  I had to figure out a way to gently tell that mom that her son was no longer missing, but he would never come home again.