WAYLAND, Mich. — A West Michigan dog is one of the finalists for the 2024 Hero Dog Awards.
Coby is a black lab from Wayland who earned a spot among the 25 finalists for the competition run by American Humane.
Coby was nominated for the honor after saving his partner's life in 2023, when he pulled his hearing impaired partner from out of the path of a speeding firetruck. This was just one of the many reasons why Coby is a fit for the honor of being America's 2024 Hero Dog.
"Beyond the daily tasks, Coby has helped his partner reconnect with the community, easing fears and opening doors to new relationships. Coby is not just a service dog; he’s a hero and a protector," Coby's bio reads on the contest website.
The public voting for this round of the competition runs through Oct. 9 and on Oct. 15, winners for individual categories will be announced.
In addition to being in the top 25 finalists, Coby is also one of the top five dogs in the service, hearing and guide dog category.
You can learn more about Coby and vote for him here.