hallmark american humane awards 2019
Beth Stern and James Denton are the hosts of the 2019 American Humane Hero Dog Awards. Paul Hebert/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC

As part of Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After pet rescue initiative, the network will air the ninth annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards Monday night, hosted by “Good Witch” star James Denton and author Beth Stern.

Along with the hosts, the 2019 event features quite a few other celebrity guests and presenters, as well as the guests of honor — the seven dogs being recognized as finalists in various categories of heroism.

Taped on Oct. 5 in Beverly Hills, California, the two-hour award show airs tonight on Hallmark Channel at 8 p.m. and includes appearances from Shannen Doherty (“Beverly Hills, 90210”), Trevor Donovan (“Love, Fall & Order”), Danielle Fishel (“Girl Meets World”), Vivica A. Fox (“Empire”), Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), Jenna Johnson (“Dancing with the Stars”), Ally Maki (“Dear White People”), Debbie Matenopoulos (“Home & Family”), Cameron Mathison (“Home & Family”), Wendi McLendon-Covey (“The Goldbergs”), Brandon McMillan (“Lucky Dog”), Barbara Niven (“Chesapeake Shores”), Kristoffer Polaha (“Mystery 101”), Roselyn Sanchez (“A Taste of Summer”), Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”), Eric Winter (“A Taste of Summer”), Larissa Wohl (“Home & Family”) and Sofia Wylie (“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”).

Kristin Chenoweth, who just released her “For The Girls” album, will also appear during the broadcast to accept Hallmark Channel’s 2019 Adoption Ever After Award, presented to her by Gellar, which honors her efforts in pet rescue and animal welfare.

Also being honored, of course, are the seven dogs selected as finalists, “following more than one million votes by the American public and a panel of celebrity animal lovers and dog experts,” according to a press release.

The 2019 American Humane Hero Dog Awards finalists include:

Guide/Hearing Hero Dog

  • “Leader Dog Lady” from Hamilton, Michigan

Law Enforcement/Arson Hero Dog

  • “Dax” from Libertyville, Illinois

Military Hero Dog

  • “Sgt. Yeager” from Cary, North Carolina

Search and Rescue Hero Dog

  • “Piglet” from Lancaster, California

Service Hero Dog

  • “Alice” from Nicholasville, Kentucky

Shelter Hero Dog

  • “Gus” from Houston

Therapy Hero Dog

  • “Jeanie” from Lake Charles, Louisiana

Immediately after the 2019 American Humane Hero Dog Awards finishes airing, Hallmark Channel and PEDIGREE Foundation’s The Love of Dogs Benefit Concert will premiere at 10 p.m. EDT.

Hosted by Wohl, the event, which aims to helps millions of rescue and shelter dogs find permanent homes, features performances from country artists Lee Brice, Hunter Hayes and Easton Corbin.

Those who would like to learn more about how to donate their time or money, or both, to American Humane and PEDIGREE Foundation, can find more information on each of their websites.

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