Five standout dogs are helping to improve the lives of others — including in the areas of physical and mental health. Now they’re being recognized nationally for their work.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards announced the standouts to shed light on their remarkable efforts in a variety of areas. The organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1877 and is the country’s first national humane organization committed to animals. 

The annual nationwide competition identifies America’s best dogs in five key categories: military dogs; law enforcement and first responder dogs; service and guide or hearing dogs; therapy dogs; and emerging hero and shelter dogs. 

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Beginning in April, hundreds of dog owners across the country submitted the names of their pets for consideration for “Hero Dog.”

The winning dog in each category will be honored at a gala in Palm Beach, Florida, in November — where the animals will walk, sniff and run down a red carpet. 

American Humane president and CEO Robin Ganzert, PhD, told Fox News Digital that the canine heroes this year are “unsung heroes.”

“I’m in awe of these inspiring canine heroes, who sniff out criminals, leap out of helicopters, comfort sick children and more,” she said. “All five dogs are a winner in their category and deserve to be recognized for serving their communities and our country.”

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She added, “American Humane is honored to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes who make the world a better, kinder place.”

Ahead of its annual event, American Humane announced the finalists. Here are the top five dogs in their respective categories. 

Military: Niki

Niki is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois-German shepherd mix who lives in Seattle, Washington. 

She started with the U.S. Coast Guard in 2021 and helps detect explosives alongside her human partner, Petty Officer Alicia Horn. 

Niki is the military dog finalist for the 2024 American Humane Hero Dog Awards.  (American Humane)

Niki has completed over 250 high-stakes operations and logged more than 4,000 working hours protecting the American public, per the American Humane. She helps protect the safety and security of the Washington State Ferries and has boarded over 250 vessels thus far. 

The shepherd mix is known for being a hero in her community. She often visits schools to help educate children about military dogs and their handlers. 

Law enforcement & first response: Bo

Bo is an 18-month-old bloodhound male from Gastonia, North Carolina, who works with the Gastonia Police Department. Though still young, he’s been saving lives and solving crimes since he was just eight months old, according to the American Humane. 

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He started his career in law enforcement in 2023 after the police department handpicked him from a litter of puppies — a move his handler Sgt. David Rowland is happy about, he said. 

Bo is also up for the top prize at the Hero Dog Awards on Nov. 8, 2024. He’s shown with Sgt. David Rowland.  (American Humane)

Rowland brought Bo home during his training to help strengthen their bond — and his family took a liking to him. 

A bloodhound breed was new for the Gastonia Police Department, American Humane noted, as the department had only ever had German shepherds and other classic law enforcement breeds prior to Bo. 

Bo has located many lost senior citizens. 

Bloodhounds, known for being easily frightened and gentle giants at heart, are not the typical K-9 officer pick — but American Humane said Bo broke the mold. 

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Although still terrified of Halloween decorations, Bo is able to approach and comfort people he tracks down — making him a secret weapon. Since he began working, Bo has tracked down a missing 11-year-old child with autism and a 7-year-old kidnapping victim. He’s also found many lost senior citizens. 

Service: Sampson

Sampson is an 11-year-old golden retriever service dog up for an American Humane Hero Dog Award. 

The service dog based in Sierra Vista, Arizona, recently retired after spending years with his other half — a woman named Joey who was in an accident in 2006. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and over 23 broken bones. 

Sampson is the service dog finalist for this year’s award.  (American Humane)

For almost a decade, Sampson was by Joey’s side helping her recover and manage a new way of life. 

Joey told American Humane that Sampson learned over 245 commands to help her with her recovery. He was even able to go into a medicine cabinet, open it, grab the correct medication and carry it to Joey, followed by a bottle of water to swallow the pills. 

When Joey decided to pursue a neuroscience degree after her accident, she encountered issues with getting Sampson into science labs, as there were concerns about contamination and safety hazards. 

After she fought hard to find ways to include Sampson, he took on the nickname of “Science Service Dog.” Today, the pair advocates for service dog handlers in science while Sampson spends his golden years off-duty, according to American Humane. 

Therapy: Dayo

A nine-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback male dog is the top therapy dog nominated for the American Humane Hero Dog Award this year. 

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Dayo, of Dublin, California, began his life as a puppy companion to a baby cheetah named Pancake at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. 

Dayo and the cheetah were born on the same day. They grew up together as pseudo-siblings until Pancake tragically passed away in 2017 from health complications. 

Nine-year-old Dayo of California is a finalist for the 2024 American Humane Hero Dog Awards.  (American Humane)

After officials decided to remove Dayo from the zoo, he was placed with an owner named Liz — who put his lovable personality and emotional intelligence to good use as a therapy dog, according to American Humane. 

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Today, Dayo brings love and hope to people in need at several life-changing facilities, such as the George Mark Children’s House, Camp Erin, Children’s Hospital and more. 

Shelter: Penny

Penny is a four-year-old mixed breed dog from Louisville, Kentucky, and was named a finalist in the shelter dog category. 

Penny was a rescue animal who now works as a therapy dog for children.  (American Humane)

Penny was rescued in 2020 after she was thrown out of a moving car and left on the side of the road, according to American Humane. 

After making a recovery from what appeared to be long-term abuse, Penny was fostered by two owners. The two high school teachers loved the three-legged dog at first sight, American Humane said. 

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For over a year, the foster parents helped Penny relearn how to walk — even carrying her in a backpack or stroller when necessary. They ended up adopting her into their home. 

American Humane announced the finalists for the 2024 Hero Dog Awards.  (American Humane)

Today Penny shows no signs of physical or emotional trauma. She’s described as trusting, loving and gentle. 

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She works as a therapy dog for children of all ages and is an advocate for stricter anti-animal abuse laws, per the American Humane. 

The winner of the 2024 American Humane Hero Dog Award will be announced on Nov. 8. 

Artificial intelligence is gaining more of parents’ trust than actual doctors.

That’s according to a new study from the University of Kansas Life Span Institute, which found that parents seeking information on their children’s health are turning to AI more than human health care professionals.

The research, published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, also revealed that parents rate AI-generated text as “credible, moral and trustworthy.”

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More than 100 parents ranging from 18 to 65 years old were asked to rate text generated by either a human doctor or ChatGPT (the AI chatbot made by OpenAI) under the supervision of an expert.

The study concluded that ChatGPT is “capable of impacting behavioral intentions for medication, sleep and diet decision-making.” 

There was also “little distinction” between ChatGPT and the experts on benchmarks of perceived morality, trustworthiness, expertise, accuracy and reliance, the study found.

But when differences were seen, ChatGPT’s responses were rated higher in trustworthiness and accuracy, with participants saying they would be more likely to rely on the chatbot’s information.

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Lead study author Calissa Leslie-Miller, a doctoral student in clinical child psychology at the University of Kansas, noted that the research began right after the launch of ChatGPT.

“We had concerns about how parents would use this new, easy method to gather health information for their children,” she wrote in a press release.

“Parents often turn to the internet for advice, so we wanted to understand what using ChatGPT would look like and what we should be worried about.”

Study participants said they would be more likely to rely on ChatGPT for answers on their children’s health. (Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Leslie-Miller said the results were surprising to the researchers, as it was early on in ChatGPT’s availability.

“We’re starting to see that AI is being integrated in ways that may not be immediately obvious, and people may not even recognize when they’re reading AI-generated text versus expert content,” she noted.

Although ChatGPT can “work well in many cases,” the AI model “isn’t an expert” and can still generate wrong information, the researcher cautioned.

“People may not even recognize when they’re reading AI-generated text versus expert content.”

“In children’s health, where the consequences can be significant, it’s crucial that we address this issue,” she said. 

“We’re concerned that people may increasingly rely on AI for health advice without proper expert oversight.”

Leslie-Miller suggested that AI users be cautious of chatbot-provided information, and that they should only rely on information that’s “consistent with expertise that comes from a non-generative AI source.”

A researcher advised parents to only rely on information that’s “consistent with expertise that comes from a non-generative AI source.” (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Dr. Harvey Castro, an ER physician and AI expert in Texas, told Fox News Digital that he understands why parents might turn to tools like ChatGPT for “quick health care advice,” as the technology has become “increasingly woven into our lives.”

“The immediacy and convenience of AI can be incredibly appealing, especially for busy parents seeking answers at all hours.”

“The immediacy and convenience of AI can be incredibly appealing, especially for busy parents seeking answers at all hours,” he said.

Castro agreed with the researchers that combining human expertise and AI is “far more effective” than relying on unsupervised AI, especially when it comes to children’s health.

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“AI can provide valuable preliminary information, but it cannot fully grasp a child’s unique medical history, subtle symptoms, and nuances from years of specialized training,” he noted.

“This is where the human element is irreplaceable — involving a qualified health care professional, specifically a pediatrician, ensures that the information is accurate, personalized and safe,” Castro went on. “It’s crucial to keep the right human in the loop.”

“The human element is irreplaceable — involving a qualified health care professional, specifically a pediatrician, ensures that the information is accurate, personalized and safe,” a doctor said. (iStock)

Castro added that a pediatrician can interpret AI-generated information on children’s health and make “informed decisions” that AI cannot.

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The expert encouraged parents to use AI tools as a starting point when looking for answers about their children’s health, but to then “always consult with a pediatrician.”

By combining the two, Castro said, health care professionals can “enhance the quality of care, catching nuances that might be missed otherwise.”

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“Together, we can leverage technology to provide faster, more efficient care without sacrificing the personal touch and critical thinking that only humans can offer.” 

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.

Heading into the thick of flu and COVID season, there have been some recent changes to vaccine recommendations for people over age 50.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently lowered the age for pneumonia vaccinations by 15 years.

Instead of recommending the pneumococcal vaccine for those 65 and over, the shot is now suggested starting at age 50.

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“Everyone over 50 should be thinking about vaccines, because as we age, our immune system can become more vulnerable,” Dr. Susannah Hills, surgeon and assistant professor at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

When choosing which vaccinations to get, it is also important to consider personal risk, she said. 

“Are there underlying health conditions like diabetes, immunodeficiency or cancer? If so, getting vaccinated becomes even more important.”

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To help people 50 and older keep track of immunization guidance for their age group, Fox News Digital gathered insights from several infectious disease experts.

1. Flu vaccine

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older gets a flu vaccine every year, including those 50 and up.

Dr. Jennifer Dunphy, a public health doctor in Los Angeles, California, noted that the flu vaccine is known to significantly reduce deaths and hospitalizations (from 40% to 52%) in the 50 and older population. 

“Everyone over 50 should be thinking about vaccines … As we age, our immune system can become more vulnerable.”

“It is recommended to get the vaccine at the end of summer, preferably in September, before the weather changes and viruses become more common,” she told Fox News Digital. 

Common side effects include body aches and low-grade fever, the doctor noted.

The flu vaccine is known to significantly reduce deaths and hospitalizations (from 40% to 52%) in the 50 and older population, a doctor noted. (iStock)

“In some cases, there are very rare but more serious side effects that may impact the nervous system,” Dunphy said. 

“The benefits of the vaccine for most people over 50 will outweigh any risks, but it is recommended to talk to your doctor.”

2. COVID-19 vaccine

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older is vaccinated against COVID-19 and receives an updated vaccine each year, typically in the fall before the end of October. 

The agency also advises people 65 and older to receive a second dose of the vaccine.

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“Together with flu and RSV, COVID is part of a triad of respiratory viruses that cause high rates of hospitalization and death in older adults, with increased risk seen with advancing age,” Dr. Amy Edwards, an infectious disease expert at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, told Fox News Digital. 

For the COVID-19 vaccine, it is recommended that people get two full doses spaced at least three weeks apart followed by annual boosters, a doctor said. (iStock)

For the COVID-19 vaccine, it is recommended that people get two full doses spaced at least three weeks apart followed by annual boosters, according to Dunphy.

The boosters are tailored to be effective against the most current strain of the virus, she said. 

“The COVID vaccine works to increase the development of antibodies that fight against exposure turning into infection, and infection from transitioning into serious infection,” she said.

“Side effects vary, but are mostly limited to mild, flu-like symptoms.”

Some serious adverse effects have been linked to COVID vaccines, including anaphylactic shock, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart), according to the CDC. 

3. Pneumococcal vaccine

The pneumococcus (pneumonia) vaccine is recommended for children younger than 5 years and adults 50 years or older.

This is an update to previous guidance, which called for vaccines in adults 65 and older.

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This one-time vaccine is designed to protect against bacterial infections that can cause pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.

The agency recommends giving one of three available vaccines — PCV15, PCV20 or PCV21 — to all adults 50 years or older who have never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or who are uncertain of their vaccination history.

“The rate of hospitalizations and death from pneumonia goes up at age 50 and then again by a lot at age 65 years old,” Edwards told Fox News Digital. 

“The rate of hospitalizations and death from pneumonia goes up at age 50 and then again by a lot at age 65 years old,” a doctor told Fox News Digital.  (iStock)

“Typically, adults are advised to get a single dose, but some higher-risk adults may get a dose every five years.”

Side effects are generally minimal from this vaccine, she noted.

Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, or redness, swelling, pain or tenderness at the injection site are some possible side effects, according to the CDC.

4. Tdap vaccine

The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine helps to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

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Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, has seen a spike in the U.S. in 2024, with more than five times the cases reported at the same time last year.

“All adults should get the tetanus vaccine every 10 years, as that is the longest protection lasts,” Edwards advised. 

Most doctors agree that it’s OK to get the COVID and flu vaccines at the same time. (iStock)

“Vaccination against whooping cough is sometimes recommended for some older adults, especially those who will spend time with very young children (grandchildren), as infants are at very high risk for death from whooping cough.”

The most common side effects after a Tdap vaccination include mild fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and pain, swelling or redness at the injection site, the CDC stated.

Adults should discuss with their doctors about whether this vaccine is necessary.

5. Shingles vaccine

It is recommended that adults 50 and older receive two doses of Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, two to six months apart, per the CDC.

The vaccine protects against a condition called herpes zoster, more commonly known as shingles.

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The infection causes a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which can cause nerve damage, chronic nerve pain and sometimes inflammation of the brain, according to Edwards.

“Shingles becomes more common with each decade past 50,” she said.

It is recommended that adults 50 and older receive two doses of Shingrix, the shingles vaccine, two to six months apart, per the CDC. (iStock)

“This vaccine tends to be kind of rough, with high rates of fever and body aches,” Edwards cautioned.

“Many people who have had both say the shingles vaccine is as bad or worse than the mRNA COVID vaccines as far as making you feel bad for a day or two afterward.”

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The shingles vaccine is currently administered as a one-time, lifetime dose with no boosters recommended later in life for those vaccinated at around age 50, Edwards noted.

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Experts agree it’s best for each person to discuss a vaccine plan with his or her primary care physician.

Hills added, “Some people may be at higher risk and may need to get these vaccines earlier or may need other vaccines as well.”

A pig in Oregon has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu, according to a Wednesday announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The infected pig was from a backyard farming operation that had a “mix of poultry and livestock,” the press release stated.

The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed that this was the “first detection of H5N1 in swine” in the U.S.

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“The livestock and poultry on this farm shared water sources, housing and equipment; in other states, this combination has enabled transmission between species,” the release noted.

The infected pig did not display symptoms of illness, but was tested — along with four other swine — out of “an abundance of caution” after other animals on the farm tested positive.

“There is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply as a result of this finding.”

Out of the other five pigs tested, two were negative and two still have pending results.

“This farm is a non-commercial operation, and the animals were not intended for the commercial food supply,” the USDA stated. 

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“There is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply as a result of this finding.”

The farm has been placed under quarantine to prevent further spread of bird flu, and the other animals are being monitored, per the USDA.

Doctors weigh in

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News Senior Medical Analyst, noted that cattle are “definitely now a reservoir” for H5N1.

“A solo pig isn’t concerning except for two things — how many more have it that we don’t know about, and that pigs are a mixing vessel for flu,” he told Fox News Digital.

The infected pig (not pictured) was from a backyard farming operation that had a “mix of poultry and livestock,” the press release stated. (iStock)

“There can be several different kinds of flu in swine at any given time, and they can exchange genetic material, creating new strains,” the doctor cautioned. 

The 2009 H1N1 pandemic, though “mild by pandemic standards,” involved a swine flu, Siegel noted.

Added the doctor, “Continued spread in the pig population would concern me.”

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Dr. Benjamin Anderson, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Global Health at the University of Florida, noted that while this appears to be an isolated event, there is still “some cause for concern.”

The doctor echoed Siegel’s concern that swine are a known “mixing vessel” for influenza A viruses, “as they are able to be infected by avian and human influenza virus strains.”

“There can be several different kinds of flu in swine at any given time, and they can exchange genetic material, creating new strains,” a doctor warned. (iStock)

“If H5N1, an avian influenza virus, were to regularly transmit among pigs, the greatest concern is that the genetic material from other influenza virus strains circulating in pigs may recombine with it to make a new progeny virus that is more transmissible to humans,” Anderson told Fox News Digital.

The fact that all five of the pigs at the farm were not clinically ill is also concerning when it comes to surveillance, according to the doctor.

“It’s abundantly clear we have a serious H5N1 problem in the U.S. that isn’t going away anytime soon.”

“Most of our testing for H5N1 in farm settings to date has only occurred due to clinical outbreaks,” he said.

“If the virus is causing subclinical (mild illness) or asymptomatic (no illness) infections in other livestock, then we may not catch it without regular ongoing testing.”

Factors that mitigate risk

Samuel Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences and professor of health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, said there are two factors that could potentially mitigate the risk associated with this pig becoming infected with bird flu.

“First, the H5N1 virus that infected the pig in Oregon likely came from an infected bird, as opposed to a spillover from an infected dairy farm,” he told Fox News Digital. 

There are two main lineages of H5N1 currently circulating in the US, one in birds and one in dairy cows, an expert noted. (iStock)

“There are two main lineages of H5N1 currently circulating in the US, one in birds and one in dairy cows. We suspect that the H5N1 lineage circulating in dairy cows may be more infectious in humans than the lineage of H5N1 circulating in birds.”

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Second, the farm was not large, Scarpino noted, which means there are fewer opportunities for transmission between pigs and for evolution of the virus. 

“In addition, there are fewer humans working on the farm who may have come in contact with infected animals,” he added.

Because the farm was not large, there are fewer opportunities for transmission between pigs and for evolution of the virus, said an infectious diseases expert. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

Despite these factors, the expert went on, anytime there are pigs infected with a highly pathogenic avian influenza, measures should be taken to ensure that farm workers are protected and that they have not transmitted the virus to others. 

“Even though this virus did not originate from an infected dairy farm, it’s abundantly clear we have a serious H5N1 problem in the U.S. that isn’t going away anytime soon,” Scarpino cautioned. 

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“We are also entering the normal seasonal flu period, which will make it harder to detect rare H5N1 infections.”

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Scarpino calls for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state and local public health agencies, to increase resources for influenza surveillance to include both clinical and wastewater testing.