'Prances Happily Along The Sidewalks': Hell's Kitchen Local Hero

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Marco Winkler who nominated his dog, Apollo av Delos-Winkler of Hell's Kitchen.

Local hero’s full name

Apollo av Delos-Winkler

Local hero’s home state

New York

Local hero’s Patch

Midtown-Hell's Kitchen

How do you know the local hero?

He is my two-year-old mini bernedoodle

What does the local hero do?

He prances happily along the sidewalks of Hell's Kitchen and our neighboring "Patches," and brings happiness and light into the lives of 99.9% of the people he encounters along the way.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

I am a first-time dog-daddy and realized only now through having such a precious soul to call my own, how the contributions Apollo and many other dogs (and other pets) make to our society are overlooked. When I count the number of smiles on people's faces that appeared because he walked up to them to say hi or just pranced along the sidewalk off-leash, it brings even more joy into my own heart. Together, we make the lives of several dozen people a day a little brighter, just a little more bearable, keep them just out of darkness. He is my hero and I learn new lessons every day.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

He is as loving and angelic as he looks.

Thank you for all you do, Apollo av Delos-Winkler!

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Know someone making a difference in town?

Nominate them here.