MacKenzie, a 4-pound Chihuahua from Hilton, New York, has been named America's "most heroic canine" at the American Humane Hero Dog Awards: 10th Anniversary Celebration. The event took place last Monday and was hosted by Carson Kressley on the Hallmark Channel. MacKenzie emerged as the winner among 407 competing dogs.
The winner was determined through a combination of public votes and evaluations by a panel of celebrity animal lovers, including Jamie Chung, Erik Estrada, Danielle Fishel, Daniel Henney, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Marcus Scribner, Alexa and Carlos PenaVega, and Ariel Winter.
The American Humane Hero Dog Awards were established to recognize extraordinary heroes among canines. These exceptional dogs have demonstrated acts of bravery, such as saving lives on the battlefield, providing comfort to the sick and elderly, and exemplifying the profound bond between animals and humans. According to Dr. Robin Ganzert, the president and CEO of American Humane, all seven category winners, including MacKenzie, embody the essence of heroism. The organization hopes that their stories will inspire people to appreciate and value the incredible contributions made by animals in our lives every day.
Despite being born with a cleft palate and facing numerous health challenges, MacKenzie overcame her birth defect and other issues. She now works for The Mia Foundation, a non-profit organization that rescues and cares for animals with birth defects who are unable to be with their mothers. MacKenzie's primary role is to provide love and care to baby rescue animals with birth defects. She nurtures them, cleans them, comforts them, and acts as their mother figure. She also teaches them socialization skills, playfulness, and good manners.
MacKenzie's duties extend beyond helping animals. She also interacts with children at schools, teaching them about acceptance and open-mindedness towards animals and people with physical differences. Through her interactions, children learn important values such as kindness, patience, and the ability to make a positive impact on the world, regardless of their size or stature.
In addition to MacKenzie's recognition, the American Humane Hero Dog Awards also honored top dogs in categories such as therapy dog, service dog, military dog, guide/hearing dog, law enforcement dog, and search and rescue dog.
