Entries sought for Hero Pet Award - nwitimes.com

VALPARAISO — Organizers of the Celebration of Wildlife scheduled for Oct. 2 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park are looking for entries for the Hero Pet Award, which will be given out at the event.

Robert Gregg, of the Porter County Wildlife Management Advisory Board, which sponsors the event, said the group is looking for “inspirational” pet stories.

While pets often change their owners’ lives in dramatic ways, Gregg said other types of entries are welcome.

“A pet can inspire you in other ways, too — not just save your life,” Gregg said. “There are others ways to be a great pet.”

This year is only the second year the Hero Pet Award has been given at the Celebration of Wildlife. In its inaugural year in 2015, Raven, a 3-year-old German shepherd service dog, was the winner of the award.

Owned by Army veteran David Horton, of Hammond, Raven saved Horton’s life in December 2014 when they were in a drugstore parking lot. Raven pushed Horton to the ground just as a speeding car shot past them, preventing them from being hit.

Anyone interested in sharing the story of their pet can access the entry form at http://ift.tt/2c9wntr or get the form at McAfee Animal Hospital or Pet Supplies Plus, both in Valparaiso. Entries are due Thursday.

The group will post the top four entries Saturday on its website, and then anyone can vote for the entry they feel best represents a hero pet until Sept. 30. The winner will be announced at the Celebration of Wildlife event.

First prize is a year’s worth of Redford Natural Dog food from Pet Supplies Plus and a year’s worth of Heartgard heartworm treatment from McAfee Animal Hospital.

Last year, there were only 10 entries, and Gregg is hoping for more this year.

“We’d like to see the event grow and involve a lot of people,” Gregg said. “Everyone loves their pets.”

Gregg said those who entered last year but did not win can enter again, and entries can represent more species than just dogs.

“If you have a duck that pulled a Cub Scout troop from a frozen lake, we want to hear about it,” Gregg said.