Fort Leonard Wood canine named America’s 2023 Hero Dog

Today, American Humane announced the winner of the 13th annual Hero Dog Awards, a nationwide contest to find and celebrate the country’s most courageous canines.

America’s 2023 Hero Dog, a Missouri-based Great Dane named Maverick, from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri took home the top prize for his inspiring work supporting the U.S. military as a United Service Organizations (USO) therapy dog.

Beginning in April, Americans nominated hundreds of inspiring dogs from across the country and from there, five semi-finalists in each of the five categories were chosen to meet the American public. After a competitive public voting process, the field of 25 was whittled down to five four-legged finalists.

The winner, therapy dog Maverick, was then selected by a blue-ribbon judging panel.

Maverick and the four other finalists will be honored at the 13th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards^® and Gala in Palm Beach on November 10, a star-starred awards show that will be hosted by Christie Brinkley and Carson Kressley.

The event is presented by Lois Pope and the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and will be nationally televised on A&E on Nov. 26 and on Thanksgiving Day

Maverick and his handler Kelly Brownfield first met in 2016. There was an instant bond with the then 12-week-old puppy, who immediately ran up to her and nuzzled into her chest as if he was meant to be there. Kelly, who had previous therapy dogs, spent the first year rigorously training Maverick, which helped him pass his therapy dog certification test with flying colors in 2017.

Maverick has also been by Kelly’s side throughout her ongoing battle with cancer—a disease that Maverick himself has successfully fought. She says her work serving the community with Maverick helps keep things in perspective and reminds her to always be grateful.