Royal Canin Salutes Military Dogs To Support The 2013 Hero Dog Awards

ST. CHARLES, Mo., July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leader in pet nutrition, Royal Canin is honored to be serving as the military dog category sponsor for the 2013 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™. The military dog category identifies and recognizes incredible working dogs serving our country in exceptional ways.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130701/CG41041)  

"Nutrition fuels performance. It plays the most vital role to sustain the energy required of these heroic working dogs and enables them to perform their jobs to the best of their ability," said Keith Levy, President of Royal Canin USA, Inc. "We are both excited and humbled to be part of this recognition celebration and honored to salute these military dogs for their service to our country."             

Royal Canin is committed to providing cats and dogs with nutrient-based diets that they need to perform their best. The 14 Military Dog finalists in the 2013 Hero Dog Awards have served our country in a variety of honorable roles with the U.S. Special Forces, Army and Marine Corps. From narcotics and explosive detection, to patrolling the U.S. border, these dogs are trained to perform with an exceptional level of expertise.

"We are thrilled to have Royal Canin as a sponsor for the 2013 Military Dogs category," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. "Military dogs play an important role alongside our troops on American soil and overseas; we're excited to team up with a company that appreciates these heroes as much as we do."

To learn more and cast your vote for the 2013 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards nominees, visit http://www.herodogawards.org/vote. You may vote once a day for a dog in each category and voting is open through July 30.

The Hero Dog Awards celebrates America's heroic canines who dedicate their lives to the community in a variety of important ways. Categories include military dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs, hearing dogs, guide dogs, arson/law enforcement dogs, and "emerging hero" dogs (ordinary dogs that do extraordinary things). Finalists are chosen by the American public via online voting from May 7–July 30, 2013. The final winning American Hero Dog will be selected via a second round of public voting and a panel of expert and celebrity judges, and will be honored at a star-studded awards gala on October 5, 2013, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif. The awards will air on the Hallmark Channel in November 2013.

About Royal Canin USA
Royal Canin USA is a leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition. Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has more than 40 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders, and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, life style and therapeutic requirements. Royal Canin diets are available at veterinary hospitals and pet specialty stores nationwide. Royal Canin is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. To learn more about Royal Canin visit www.royalcanin.us and "LIKE" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/royalcanin.us.

About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

Media Contact:
Ellen Berce
612-215-2224
[email protected]

SOURCE Royal Canin USA