Puppy Mill Dog Wins Top Honors as Hero Dog from American Humane Association

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Aug. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- National Mill Dog Rescue, a Colorado-based organization whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs from the commercial dog breeding industry, is very proud of Harley.  His campaign, “Harley to the Rescue," has raised more than $500,000 to save hundreds of dog that were suffering in puppy mills.  On several occasions, Harley personally traveled into the Midwest along with the NMDR rescue team and is responsible for bringing more than 500 dogs to freedom.

This is what Theresa Strader, NMDR founder, has to say about Harley, “Ten years in utter misery did not break this little dog's indomitable spirit. Once rescued, Harley quickly taught his family the deepest meaning of resilience and forgiveness and soon became the 'little dog with a big dream' - to end puppy mills forever. Harley's personal appearances and educational efforts through social media and beyond, have taught thousands of people around the world the truth about pet store puppies. Harley truly is an outspoken voice for mill dogs everywhere and is highly deserving of the great honor it is to be one of the American Humane Association's remarkable Hero Dogs."

The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards are an exciting and ambitious effort to identify and celebrate the powerful, age-old bond between animals and people – and to give recognition to extraordinary acts of heroism performed by our Best Friends.  This is the fifth year for the Hero Dog Awards.

This year, 171 dogs were nominated in eight categories: Law Enforcement, Arson, Service Dog, Therapy Dog, Military Dog, Guide/Hearing Dog, Search & Rescue Dog and the Emerging Hero Dogs (for ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things). More than 1 million votes have been cast by the American public so far and 8 finalists selected. The finalists will be flown to Los Angeles for the big event which will include many top celebrities at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 19 to choose the top “American Hero Dog” and will be broadcast on Hallmark Channel on October 30.

American Humane Association is the country’s first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. They have been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today they’re also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society.

About National Mill Dog Rescue
National Mill Dog Rescue is a Colorado Springs based 501(c)(3) organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes discarded commercial breeding dogs from puppy mills.  NMDR relies on volunteers to care for the dogs, from the moment they are surrendered to the time they are adopted and beyond. They depend on the generosity of the public to provide the high level of care they do for the dogs and to continue to be able to save them. National Mill Dog Rescue will have saved more than 10,000 dogs to date.

National Mill Dog Rescue website: http://milldogrescue.org/

Hero Dogs Awards website: http://www.herodogawards.org/

Harley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harleyfreighttraintaylor