2 Barnegat Dogs Up For National Hero Awards

BARNEGAT, NJ — Two local heroic hounds are in the running to be named among the country's top dogs.

American Humane Society recently announced the semi-finalists for its 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards and the five categories feature two canines that hail from Barnegat.

"We congratulate the incredible dogs who are nominated for the 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards!" said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society. "The canine heroes represent courage, strength, and love and their stories illustrate the uplifting healing power of the human-animal bond. We look forward to sharing their stories with America and encourage all to vote for the heroes on both ends of the leash."

The Hero Dog Awards is a nationwide competition that searches for and recognizes America’s standout dogs in five categories: law enforcement and first responder dogs, service and guide dogs, therapy dogs, military dogs and emerging hero dogs.

Therapy dog Jager, a 3-year-old Boerboel with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, is one Barnegat nominee. The pup's "superpower" is his connection to people, according to his profile.

"In moments of intense emotional pain, he instinctively gravitates to those who need him the most," Jager's biography reads. "His quiet presence shifts the room—grounding, comforting and guiding people towards healing."

Jager and his handler helped when eight officers were shot and four were killed in North Carolina during May 2024. The mastiff sat through grief-filled groups and an officer's funeral. And after, when Jager saw one officer sitting along in tears, the dog sat at his feet and leaned into him until he regained his composure.

Nominated in the military dog category is Barnegat's Ffancy, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois known for her "unbreakable spirit."

"During her service, Retired Military Working Dog (MWD) Ffancy supported students and handlers in advanced training through the Kennel Master and MWD Handler Courses," her biography reads. She was the first MWD to receive medals from the state of New Jersey for her service. Now, she lives a peaceful, quiet retired life at home with a fellow veteran.

Her true heroism, her profile says, is her resilience and determination.

"After overcoming paralysis in her hind legs, she amazed everyone by regaining her strength—running up and down stairs, chasing playmates in the yard, jumping onto the bed and joyfully embracing her retirement with a ball always by her side," the biography reads.

People across the U.S. can vote for their four-legged champions at americanhumane.org/hero-dog-awards.