Vernon Hills Service Dog Needs Your Vote

Voting is underway for America’s next hero dog, and a local canine is among the contestants.

A Labradoodle named Gander is a service and suicide-prevention therapy dog for Lake County veterans, ABC 7 posted on its Facebook page. 

Vernon Hills resident and Vietnam War veteran Lon Hodge suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and he used to have up to five panic attacks per day, according to CBS Chicago. Since Gander arrived, Hodge has not had any panic attacks, the station reported.

Gander is among dozens of dogs that have been nominated for the 2013 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards. The annual contest celebrates “the remarkable bond between dogs and people,” according to the contest website. 

The eight dogs that receive the most votes will be named finalists in the competition. A panel of celebrity judges will pick the top dog, which will be declared the 2013 American Hero Dog.

All eight finalists will win $1,500 for a charity partner. The grand-prize winner will receive an additional $5,000 for their charity. Gander is competing for Freedom Service Dogs.

Voting began online at 11 a.m. May 7 and runs through 11 a.m. July 30. The American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards will be taped Oct. 5 before a live audience at a gala in Los Angeles. It will be aired as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall.

Visit the Hero Dog Awards contestants page to learn more about Gander and the other competing canines.

For more information about Gander, visit the dog's Facebook fan page and Twitter account.