---

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2025/072d.jpg)

 [ ANIMAL WATCH ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=361)

#  Vote for L.A.’s Hero Dog in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards

September 08 2025

Written by Phyllis Daugherty.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

ANIMAL WATCH -

**Vote for Rudy [HERE](https://www.americanhumane.org/hero-dog/rudy/). It just takes a few seconds.**

Category: [Therapy Dog](https://www.americanhumane.org/what-we-do/champion-animals/hero-dog-awards/therapy-dogs/)

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Voting ends [soon](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0d75eb938edb70a5&cs=0&sxsrf=AE3TifNBeOIVy-26MDNwxEYF9fU2sWBN9w%3A1757178378999&q=2025+American+Humane+Hero+Dog+Awards&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd-arIz8SPAxXiPUQIHdMwEdMQxccNegQIBhAB&mstk=AUtExfAZo5_BfhZa1bDl8ckNYTa1w6gld1C2YkLl). You can vote more than once.

Rudy, a six-year-old Standard Poodle therapy dog, and now a runner-up for the [2025 American Humane Hero Dog Awards](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0d75eb938edb70a5&cs=0&sxsrf=AE3TifNBeOIVy-26MDNwxEYF9fU2sWBN9w%3A1757178378999&q=2025+American+Humane+Hero+Dog+Awards&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd-arIz8SPAxXiPUQIHdMwEdMQxccNegQIBhAB&mstk=AUtExfAZo5_BfhZa1bDl8ckNYTa1w6gld1C2YkLl0SZqbCJGrDuOrEGNCQUatU9C_f3Aj-Wr3Gk4SoWiZjAsr84w6ScSyJ0ZYxnZGnbK5_trMaRA_E8yLjG_OvkztB9AiIdlDhIvnWbOz0H8ksZqGaMkjeF9XQ7kTLrxAypd-iyZu9bf4UUeSbTKVjiwPCy5rGkegPRhTO4zhOK_RyoV_z2T3ePkNoEDTCfNCse0w-cTS7jbRh1lUAHiPUYyKXahd4oERQnC9EnO_IvRTyZpPmgJPKRw&csui=3), has spent many hours with children and adult victims of the recent Los Angeles-area fires assuring them they were not alone in those terrifying events which destroyed almost everything that was familiar and safe in their lives.

Rudy works with victims of some of the most devastating situations that occur in human lives, but he doesn’t realize this is heroic. He merely senses their fear and their need and wants to be close to assure them he can be trusted and that they are loved and not alone.

**RUDY IS ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE SO HE CAN DO MORE!**

Rudy is asking for our individual votes here to give him national recognition of his tireless efforts and provide him with more opportunities to spread his message of love and hope as he works with the Los Angeles Police and Los Angeles Fire Department, responding to the greatest tragedies in communities.

 Rudy has boundless unconditional love to share with all who need it when their world is being destroyed or they have experienced a tragedy that they may not be able to express, until they stroke Rudy’s soft fur and his warm brown eyes tell them he understands and they are loved.

But, Rudy’s Superpower doesn’t stop with just the obvious.

**PROVIDING COMFORT TO OTHER HEROES**

![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2025/072d2.jpg)

Rudy is there for police officers, firefighters and other law-enforcement and medical personnel.

He connects with the hearts of first responders in these devastating situations. He is there for those who have witnessed or been a victim of violence and cruelty they could not stop.

First responders do not have to use words to share with him their pain from the tragedies that are part of their daily work; such as, arriving after all or part of a family (and often their pets) were consumed by flames before they arrived or were too powerful and moving too fast for them to control.

Emergency responders may be the first-on-scene to mentally record an auto with children’s faces pressing against a window at the scene of a fatal crash with no survivors. These tragedies and others live silently and untold in the hearts and memories of police officers, sheriff’s deputies, Highway Patrol, fire fighters and emergency medical responders, but Rudy understands and assures them silently that they must think of the many they have saved and that he is also a symbol of faith in the lifesaving miracles they perform.

**Rudy, Therapy Dog Semi-Finalist -- a runner-up for 2025 American Humane Hero Dog – NEEDS OUR VOTES TO WIN THE FINAL AWARD**

![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2025/072d3.jpg)

**YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT TO VOTE FOR RUDY**

Rudy earned a spot in the semifinals for his work as a therapy dog, notably for his help during the 2024 wildfires in Southern California. Now, animal lovers across the country have the opportunity to vote for their favorite four-legged hero to help them move on to the final round for the chance to be named America’s top dog.

**VOTING ENDS SEPTEMBER 15, 2025**

The public can express its thanks to all emergency responders by voting carefully under the correct category. In this case, VOTE FOR the gentle Standard Poodle, Rudy, the therapy poodle who helped during the January wildfires and is a finalist in the [2025 American Humane Hero Dog Awards](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=0d75eb938edb70a5&cs=0&sxsrf=AE3TifNBeOIVy-26MDNwxEYF9fU2sWBN9w%3A1757178378999&q=2025+American+Humane+Hero+Dog+Awards&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd-arIz8SPAxXiPUQIHdMwEdMQxccNegQIBhAB&mstk=AUtExfAZo5_BfhZa1bDl8ckNYTa1w6gld1C2YkLl0SZqbCJGrDuOrEGNCQUatU9C_f3Aj-Wr3Gk4SoWiZjAsr84w6ScSyJ0ZYxnZGnbK5_trMaRA_E8yLjG_OvkztB9AiIdlDhIvnWbOz0H8ksZqGaMkjeF9XQ7kTLrxAypd-iyZu9bf4UUeSbTKVjiwPCy5rGkegPRhTO4zhOK_RyoV_z2T3ePkNoEDTCfNCse0w-cTS7jbRh1lUAHiPUYyKXahd4oERQnC9EnO_IvRTyZpPmgJPKRw&csui=3),

Rudy is not just another pretty face, but earned his place in the 2025 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, Therapy Dog category – with the help and training by his owner, Steven Zonis, of Chatsworth, CA.

Rudy is facing some tough competition as a Therapy Semi-Finalist but has devoted his heart to those who need his gentle love and assurance and is asking for your vote [here](https://www.americanhumane.org/hero-dog/rudy/).

**YOU CAN LEGALLY VOTE MORE THAN ONCE (See instructions at voting link.)**

***(Phyllis M. Daugherty** is a former Los Angeles City employee, also the Santa Ana Fire Department and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation.)*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Last Name

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a9/070g-a9407aaa.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

### [They Said It Made No Sense. Then They Voted Yes.](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - Sacramento has streamlined housing approvals so aggressively that residents rarely get a heari…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/c7/070k-c75fbf7a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33276:karen-bass-just-sent-l-a-businesses-a-dangerous-message-follow-the-rules-or-dont&catid=312)

### [Karen Bass Just Sent L.A. Businesses a Dangerous Message: Follow the Rules or Don’t](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33276:karen-bass-just-sent-l-a-businesses-a-dangerous-message-follow-the-rules-or-dont&catid=312)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Street vendors deserve a realistic path to legalization. But when City Hall weakens enforcement while…

---

##  [ ANIMAL WATCH ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=361)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065r.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33225:the-44-000-dog-california-pays-more-for-service-animals-than-any-state&catid=361)### [The $44,000 Dog: California Pays More for Service Animals Than Any State](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33225:the-44-000-dog-california-pays-more-for-service-animals-than-any-state&catid=361)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/053c.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32984:girl-10-suffers-catastrophic-injuries-in-northern-california-dog-attack&catid=361)### [Girl, 10, Suffers Catastrophic Injuries In Northern California Dog Attack](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32984:girl-10-suffers-catastrophic-injuries-in-northern-california-dog-attack&catid=361)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/051l.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32939:can-14-million-save-all-the-pit-bulls-and-other-animals-at-l-a-animal-services-shelters-under-best-friends-plan&catid=361)### [Can $14 Million Save All the Pit Bulls and Other Animals at L.A. Animal Services Shelters Under Best Friends’ Plan?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32939:can-14-million-save-all-the-pit-bulls-and-other-animals-at-l-a-animal-services-shelters-under-best-friends-plan&catid=361)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/049e2.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32913:can-14-million-help-solve-las-animal-shelter-crisis-who-will-focus-on-public-safety-and-animal-control&catid=361)### [Can $14 Million Help Solve LA's Animal Shelter Crisis? Who Will Focus on Public Safety and Animal Control?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32913:can-14-million-help-solve-las-animal-shelter-crisis-who-will-focus-on-public-safety-and-animal-control&catid=361)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/047a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32879:whats-really-behind-the-animal-shelter-crisis&catid=361)### [What’s Really Behind the Animal Shelter Crisis?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32879:whats-really-behind-the-animal-shelter-crisis&catid=361)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>