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Keith McCord reporting It's time to cast your vote!
No, it's not a political election, rather, a chance to vote on an American hero. There are six candidates, and they all have 4-legs!
Six Search and Rescue Dogs have been recognized for their work--one of them is from Utah. And now the public has a chance to vote on "America's Top Service Dog."
It isn't just play time in the backyard with a dog and its owner. For Mary Flood of Bountiful, and her black Lab, "Jake" this is serious work.
Simple dog games turned Jake into one of the best Search and Rescue Dogs in the world. So good, that in the days following the terrorist attacks in 2001, Jake spent six days searching through the rubble at "Ground Zero."
"He just has a terrific drive and zest for life, He's a great role model," said Flood.
Because of that, Jake has been nominated in a contest to be named "America's Top Service Dog.” The winning service dog will be honored in Washington D.C. in August at a special ceremony honoring canine heroes from around the world.
Each of the nominees: Roselle, Peekaboo, Zorro, Remington, Crazy Joe and Jake has its own trading card-- with stats on the back! The dogs will even have their paw prints enshrined in cement.
"It's our hope that this program will expand everyone's appreciation of the valuable contributions skilled service dogs make every day...” said John Curtiss, Vice Pres. of Pedigree Food for Dogs.
The contest is sponsored by Pedigree Food for Dogs and the stories of each dog is on the Pedigree.com website. And that website will let you vote as many times as possible! So start clicking on Jake's photo!
Mary Flood, and Jake are on-call 24/7 to respond to national disasters. They also volunteer with Utah's Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs.
