Boone, the little therapy dog from Butler, wins big award

A little dog with a big heart won a nationwide canine competition.

Boone, a two-legged special needs hound-mix from Butler Township, was named the 2021 American Humane Hero Dog on Friday in an awards ceremony Friday in Palm Beach, Fla.

He appeared as a finalist in the 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Awards competition broadcast Oct. 20 on The Hallmark Drama Channel.

At Friday’s ceremony, “he enjoyed walking the red carpet and wore a brand new formal feathered bow tie,” said his owner Tanya Diable. “He really enjoyed meeting the new people there.”

Boone was awarded two medals: one for winning the therapy dog category and one for being the overall winner.

“There’s no cash prize or anything — just the honor of winning,” Diable said.

The annual competition is sponsored by American Humane. The nonprofit promotes the safety of animals and is best known for monitoring their treatment in movie and TV productions.

“We’re in shock,” Diable said. “Shocked and excited at the same time. We can’t believe he won, and all of the dogs are worthy of this award.”

Each year, hundreds of nominations are submitted to American Humane from across the country. This year, more than 400 dogs were nominated and 1 million votes were cast by the public.

“We are so proud to honor this special pup who radiates love, compassion and courage,” American Human wrote on its Facebook page Saturday. “Congratulations to Boone and thank you for inspiring those around you every day to overcome obstacles life throws in their path.”

Nominations from anyone are accepted in seven dog categories: law enforcement and detection, shelter, service, therapy, guide/hearing, search and rescue, and military.

Boone, one of seven finalists, won in the therapy category — collecting 60% of his votes online and the rest from the celebrity judging portion of the competition.

Celebrity guest judges included actors Alison Sweeney, Kristin Chenoweth and Erik Estrada, and county music artist Naomi Judd.

From tragedy to triumph

Boone had his hind legs intentionally and brutally cut off by his former owner when he was 6 weeks old.

Authorities never apprehended his owner and Boone’s chances of surviving were bleak.

Tanya Diable and her husband, Charlie, traveled to Texas to adopt Boone.

“Boone had bones sticking out. It was the saddest thing,” Tanya Diable said. “It brought instant tears to my eyes.”

The couple had a wheelchair custom-built for Boone so he could have mobility.

Boone, now 4 and in excellent health, serves as the face of Joey’s P.A.W., a nonprofit founded in 2017 by the Diables that has awarded more than 1,000 prosthetics and wheelchairs to handicapped dogs nationally and globally.

Boone’s signature wardrobe staple is a bow tie, and he has more than 100.

He even appeared on a dog-related segment for the Rachael Ray television show in 2018.

With more than 13,500 followers on his Instagram account, Boone volunteers as a licensed therapy dog at various schools and hospitals, and monthly at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Boone’s school visits have included the Leechburg and Mars Area school districts.

Leechburg Area Superintendent Tiffany Nix described Boone’s life story as “wonderful.”

“We could tell that Boone was a very special dog,” Nix said. “I’m so excited that he was honored for his gift of giving others peace and happiness.”

The Diables stressed all of the dogs in the competition are special and deserving of awards.

“Boone’s mission is to spread love and kindness,” Tanya Diable said. “This win is for everything he’s been through. I think he deserves it because he’s such an amazing boy. It brings light to our mission so more people know and, with this win, we can help more dogs in need.”