“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” – Roger A. Caras
A soldier, a doctor, a firefighter, a construction worker, a nurse, a police officer — every man or woman who is in these professions are putting their lives at risk every day to keep everyone safe.
Working alongside these heroic people, you’ll often find four-legged heroes. This includes therapy dogs who help comfort patients, K9s who assist police officers, and military dogs who help sniff out bombs. Plus, there are also many stories of heroic pups saving their owners from life-threatening situations.
These unsung heroes do an amazing job at keeping people safe and happy. Here are 35 paw-some heroes that deserve celebrating.
1. A much-needed nap time
After hours of rescue operations, this golden retriever decided to take a quick rest. A quick nap is indeed necessary for this dog to regain its energy. Roaming around for hours sniffing and looking for possible survivors in piles of rubble will surely tire them out.
From left to right: Daisy, Dazzy, Sadie, Holly, and Dollar along with their handlers. These dogs just finished their training with the officers so they will be deployed to police stations and fire departments in different states.
3. Mac doing some hurdles
Mac is showing some canine police skills with his partner Officer Allison Schmitt of the MTA Police Department. To take down criminals, every canine needs to have high stamina and a strong body. Training will help them be better with their tasks.
4. Sadie and Hot Dog the fire safety mascot
This photo shows a fire safety dog named Sadie checking out the National Fire Dog Monument. The National Fire Dog Monument was created to recognize the efforts of Arson Dogs who help the fire department with their operations. These dogs do not need a lot of things. A simple pat and a belly rub from humans is what they need to show that we care for them.
5. Courageous dog doing a military workout
Canines who accompany soldiers in their assignments are the first ones to risk their lives. They are deployed to scout the area, sniff out IEDs, and subdue their enemies. They are those heroes on the frontlines that play a big part in the success of the soldiers’ missions.
6. Comfort dog at your service
This dog is one of those furry friends of ours who gives love to children with illnesses. They accompany these children, play with them, communicate with them, and even sleep next to them. They are the heroes who will relieve your stress.
The scarf says it all. This little pup is one of the therapy dogs that you would want to cuddle. Do not hesitate to pat its head, rub its tummy, and feed it treats. Service dogs start their training early as little puppies so they will be comfortable dealing with people.
When it comes to security, guard dogs play a vital role in every household. They are responsible for keeping your family safe 24/7. Treat them well and they will serve you right.
9. “Sniff, sniff, bark, bark…” the bomb has been detected
These canine friends of ours have the sharpest sense of smell. They can easily detect the things that their handlers want them to find. They are mostly needed when it comes to looking for missing people, sniffing out bombs, and more missions related to smell.
Jake became social media famous when he survived a fire in Hanahan, South Carolina. He was found with burnt skin and there were holes on his body. Now, Jake gives back to the people who saved him by being a canine firefighter.
11. Service dog meditating
This Golden Retriever is meditating with one of his handlers in the Warrior Canine Connection organization. This organization trains different kinds of canines to become service dogs. In this photo, the dog is being told he is a good boy through meditation.
Look at the sky, dogs are dropping from up above! These dogs are ready to take on a mission with their partners. Normally, our furry friends are afraid of heights, but with proper training, they could become one of these soldiers ready to serve the country.
13. We got a new stationmaster
This dog is named Wasao, and he is the stationmaster of Ajigasawa station in Ajigasawa, Japan. He has held this post since the year 2011. Now, Wasao is accompanied by his mate named Tsubaki as the deputy stationmaster, and their daughter Chome is a training to join them.
It is their job to comfort people, especially children who go to court with a traumatic experience. They comfort the people and help calm them down when they are experiencing panic attacks. The photo says it all!
15. Therapy dogs providing comfort
After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, these furry creatures came to the rescue. They helped these children by sitting with them and giving them hugs.
16. Ricochet the paw-surfer
This dog is named is Ricochet, and he is a service dog with a twist. Instead of just hugging and playing with his patients, Ricochet will go the extra mile and surf with them. He will surely give people a very unforgettable experience when they meet him.
17. Dog saved his owner from the brink of death
Kelsey rescued her owner Bob, who slipped and broke his neck. Bob was unable to move, and he was stuck outside his farmhouse under freezing conditions. Kelsey laid down on Bob’s chest to keep him warm, and she constantly licked her owner’s hands and face to keep him conscious. Kelsey stayed with Bob for almost 24 hours until someone came to rescue them.
18. A few words before being deployed to war
A dog and his handler seem to be wishing themselves luck before going on a mission. A hug and a kiss after a short conversation are what our fur buddies need to give them confidence. Hopefully, these two found each other after a successful mission.
This German Sheperd’s name is Bart and he is a service dog. In this photo, Bart is helping his owner get up a ramp. Thankfully, Bart is there to assist his owner in his everyday life.
From wrenches to pliers to screwdrivers to bolts and nuts, this dog has it all in his adorable uniform. This dog is surely a big help for his owner when he’s fixing things. The handyman does not need to go and look for his tools — they’re with his cute, tail-wagging assistant.
A Boston Terrier-Border Collie mix named Abbie just rescued a baby from choking. When Abbie’s owner went to feed her other children, baby Benjamin was left alone lying down. Suddenly, Abbie ran over to her owner and whined, alerting her owners that something happened to Benjamin.
Lucas has an illness called Sanfilippo syndrome, a type of dementia that can cause brain damage. This dog named Juno is always there for Lucas wherever he goes. Juno is there to assist Lucas, and their bond is truly unbreakable.
23. These dogs are ready to make someone happy!
These dogs are waiting for these hospital room doors to open so they can give the sick children inside some love. Look how well-behaved they are — we’re sure they’re going to an amazing job helping these sick children.
24. One of the heroes of 9/11
After the 9/11 attacks, a smart Golden Retriever named Bretagne was one of the dogs who helped with the search and rescue of the people stuck in the rubble. She was deployed at Ground Zero to search for survivors and worked there for 10 straight days. The heroic Bretagne died at the age of 16.
25. In sickness and in health, dogs will be there for you
Mahe, a black Labrador, stayed next to his autistic owner named James Isaac when he needs to undergo an MRI scan. Mahe accompanied James from their home to the hospital to boost his confidence. The two even shared a hospital bed when James was waiting for his diagnosis.
26. One of Mexico’s real heroes
During one of the most devastating earthquakes in Mexico that happened on September 19, 2017, a dog named Frida was on the frontlines to rescue survivors. Frida is one of the main members of the Mexican Navy’s Canine Unit, and she was there to assist the Mexican authorities in saving lives. Armed with goggles, dog shoes, and a protective suit, she was able to locate 52 people, and 12 of them were still alive.
This dog hurriedly saved her little ones from becoming victims of a fire. She rescued her pups by putting them one by one on a fire truck. That rescue was caught on camera and was featured in one of Chile’s most famous televised news programs.
28. Guardian of the herd!
During the California wildfire, many fled their homes to avoid becoming victims of the inferno. One dog refused to flee, and instead, he accompanied his master’s farm animals to protect them. Surrounded by goats, we can tell that he is indeed the guardian of this herd.
29. An incredible act of bravery
This eight-month-old German Sheperd named Geo saved one of his owners from a rampaging truck. Charlie was pushed by Geo to safety when the truck was about to hit him. Geo suffered a fractured spine, a broken leg, and many bruises to save his owner’s life.
30. A sweet dog deserves huge recognition
This dog snuck out of her home to comfort two puppies in a Canadian pet motel. These two new puppies were about to experience their first night in that foster home. Luckily, they were welcomed with open arms by this sweet dog who comforted them the whole night.
This is Molly, a blind Labrador who has two congenital heart defects. Despite her illness, she managed to save the lives of seven people, two other dogs, and four cats from a burning house. The family now takes Molly to the vet weekly to get her lungs drained so she can live a long and happy life.
Dogs are not only kind to humans — they are also helpful and kind to different kinds of animals. This dog named Storm immediately jumped into the water when she saw a deer drowning. Storm did not stop and think twice — she knew someone was in trouble so she came to the rescue as fast as possible.
33. He was a service dog for 10 years
This dog is named Sam, and he is a retired service dog who spent his entire life helping people. He amazingly helped a total of 300 children throughout his career. Kudos to Sam for his bravery and dedication!
34. A small dog with the biggest heart
This is Kabang from the Philippines. Kabang lost his snout when he saved two girls from a motorcycle crash. He sacrificed his face to knock the motorcycle off-balance so it wouldn’t hit the girls. When his heroic act was revealed to the public, a lot of people donated money for his treatment. Kabang underwent medical treatment in California for seven months before going back home to the Philippines.
35. The most loyal dog of all-time
If you watched the Japanese movie “Hachiko Monogatari” or its American version entitled “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” these movies portray the life of an Akita Inu named Hachiko. This dog was known for unrivaled loyalty to his master, and he died after waiting for his master for nine long years.
Hachiko and his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, always met each other at Shibuya station after work. One day, Hachiko went to the station, but Ueno was nowhere to be found. The dog never knew that his master had passed away due to cerebral hemorrhage. Hachi never gave up searching for his master, and he went to Shibuya station every day hoping his master would come home. Hachiko was 11 years old when he died, and a group of locals decided to make a bronze statue to commemorate Hachi and praise his loyalty.
There are still plenty of dogs who became heroes not included on this list, but someday all their efforts will be recognized. As humans, all we need to do is take care of them and make them feel that they are part of a family. They are not just “dogs” — they are furry creatures who deserve to be loved.
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“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” – Roger A. Caras
A soldier, a doctor, a firefighter, a construction worker, a nurse, a police officer — every man or woman who is in these professions are putting their lives at risk every day to keep everyone safe.
Working alongside these heroic people, you’ll often find four-legged heroes. This includes therapy dogs who help comfort patients, K9s who assist police officers, and military dogs who help sniff out bombs. Plus, there are also many stories of heroic pups saving their owners from life-threatening situations.
These unsung heroes do an amazing job at keeping people safe and happy. Here are 35 paw-some heroes that deserve celebrating.