2nd Annual First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award
$2000 Check and Gift Basket!
The nomination process is now open!
The Cause – Why Participate
Update: By popular request, we have extended the deadline for applications to Nov. 20. The full revised timeline is below.
It’s not every day that we get to honor a therapy dog for its excellence in service or support our first responders and their mental health. Now we’re doing both, by offering the “First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award.” This nationwide contest will showcase therapy dogs everywhere in the many roles they fill, while also shining the spotlight on therapy dogs that assist first responders—and the critical need for more such dogs, both in South Florida and in communities across the U.S.
The Need for More Therapy Dogs for First Responders
America’s first responders are on the frontlines of danger every day, saving lives and keeping our communities and nation safe. That can take a toll on their mental health.
Therapy dogs help these heroic men and women rebound from emergencies and reset between calls. The calming, healing presence of these dogs enables first responders to process the on-the-job traumas they’ve experienced and cope better with stress, grief, and anxiety.
As indispensable as they are in this capacity, therapy dogs can also be expensive to acquire and take time to train. This contest shines a light on the critical role they play in supporting America’s public safety professionals. By recognizing one therapy dog for its excellence in service and by sharing their story with a national audience, we hope to advocate for more such therapy dogs in more communities across America.
The Award
The winner of the first-ever, annual First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award will receive the following prize:
- Gift Basket From Chewy.com
- $2,000 check in support of their work
- Free national publicity, including a feature blog that reaches more than 100,000 people on social media and a press release announcing the news
- A “Top Paws Therapy Dog Award” badge for placement on their website or blog in recognition of their status as one of 10 finalists
- A $2,500 donation made in their honor by FHE Health to our partner organization First Responders Pack Foundation, which exists to train more therapy dogs for first responders
Who Can Apply?
Any owner/handler/trainer and their therapy dog in any context can apply for this award. Any person who wants to apply on behalf of a therapy dog that has made a difference in their life and/or community can also apply. In either case, be mindful that the selection committee would like to see some evidence of your impact on the first responder population. You and your therapy dog do not need to work exclusively with first responder populations in order to apply.
Deadline for Applications and Timeline for 2024 Award
- We will begin accepting applications for the 2024 award on Wed., Sept. 4.
- The deadline for applications is Wed., Nov. 20.
- A public vote to determine 10 finalists will occur Nov. 25–Dec. 4
- 10 finalists will be announced on Mon., Dec. 9
- The final winner will be announced on Fri., Dec. 13.
Application Requirements
All applicants are required to complete a form on this website page. All applicants will be required to submit the following materials:
- A short typed essay (at least one paragraph in length) about the dog you are nominating and the dog’s story, as well as why you believe it should be awarded the First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award
- Any proof of training such as therapy dog certification, enrollment in a certification course, or course(s) that qualifies the dog to serve in whatever context(s) it serves (hospital, nursing home, fire departments, etc.)
- A photo of the dog
- Any links to news or media reports about the dog
- A completed application form
First Responder Paws Award 2024