The American Humane Hero Dog Awards® is an annual, nationwide competition that searches out and recognizes America’s Hero Dogs – often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things. One of these amazing pups is Dolly Pawton, the 2020 Service Hero Dog.

Dolly Pawton is a cardiac alert dog for her handler, Amy. Dolly Pawton alerts if Amy’s blood pressure drops or heart rate rises to an unsafe level. Being confined to a wheelchair because of multiple medical conditions brings many challenges, and at times, Amy’s body will physically not allow her to do everyday tasks. Amy still tries to remain as active as she can, and with Dolly’s help, she is able to do that.

Before Dolly joined Amy’s life, Amy went out of her house very little. Amy was a victim of domestic violence, and she suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress. She was plagued by anxiety, low self-confidence and fear of the outside world. Amy would wake in the middle of the night from nightmares, terrified to go back to sleep. But now, with Dolly by her side, Amy’s life has changed for the better.

Dolly keeps Amy safe and reduces her social anxiety. Dolly even gave Amy the confidence and inspiration to write and illustrate a children’s’ book called, “Pawsibly the Best Medicine.” Amy and Dolly travel to schools to share their story and educate children about service dogs. Dolly is Amy’s life-saving and life-changing hero.

Thank you to Lulu’s Fund, the Service Hero Dog category sponsor, for helping American Humane honor Dolly Pawton. Lulu’s Fund, which is part of the Timothy T. Day Foundation, was founded in 2012. Named after the Day’s beloved pug Lulu, Lulu’s Fund continues the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting organizations in the animal rescue community throughout the United States. Organizations that receive support from Lulu’s Fund are primarily those that rescue abused, neglected and abandoned dogs. Their focus is to treat existing medical issues, provide spay and neuter services, place dogs in safe foster homes, and ultimately find forever homes for the animals.

America has spoken and following nearly a million votes cast by animal lovers across the country, Dolly Pawton is one of the final contenders for the 2020 American Hero Dog – just like her namesake, she is well loved! You can vote for Dolly at www.herodogawards.org.