Monday, March 19— American Humane presents the 8th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards Gala Luncheon.

LEFT: Lois Pope and Dr. Robin Ganzert with K-9 Bdak. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HUMANE

RIGHT: The eighth annual Hero Dog Awards luncheon will feature Grammy Award-winning musical artist, Richard Marx. PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD MARX

American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and Palm Beach philanthropist Lois Pope invite you to join them, and some of America’s bravest heroes on both ends of the leash, for the eighth annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards®.

Three of the top winners of the national Hero Dog Awards will be honored, including the nation’s top

2017 American Hero Dog Abigail, a victim of dogfighting who now fights this scourge and has become a national symbol of forgiveness; 2017 Hero

Service Dog Atlas, who helped save the life of a former U.S. Marine coping with Post-Traumatic Stress following his service in Iraq; 2017 Hero Therapy Dog Aladdin, who was severely neglected but has now become a therapy dog, visiting schools, serving as a trained crisis response dog, and working with special needs children.

The event will also feature human stars, with appearances by Hero

Dog Awards co-host Beth Stern and performances by Grammy Awardwinning singer, songwriter and producer Richard Marx, and the renowned Alex Donner Orchestra.

“The ‘Hero Dogs Award Gala Luncheon’ is an inspiring afternoon when we offer our thanks to so many of our greatest heroes – from service dogs who improve our lives to military hero dogs who fight alongside our troops and defend our freedom. We are grateful to all of them, to Lois Pope for her work in supporting these heroes, and all of our generous sponsors and National Ambassadors for helping us recognize their remarkable accomplishments,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane.

“It would be impossible to count all of the ways that dogs make our lives safer, happier, and healthier,” said philanthropist Lois Pope. “We should never forget that some of America’s bravest heroes come on four legs and we need to pay tribute to their remarkable work and achievements.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HUMANE 2017 Hero Dog Awards finalists and their handlers at the 2017 Award show televised on the Hallmark Channel.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HUMANE 2017 American Humane Hero Dog, Abigail.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HUMANE Join 2017 Hero Dog Abigail and 2017 Therapy Dog Aladdin at the Breakers for the eighth annual Hero Dog Awards Luncheon.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HUMANE 2017 American Humane Hero Service Dog, Atlas.

BFA Hero Dog Awards co-host, Beth Stern.