14 DAY TRIAL // A 5-year-old pit bull known to friends and family as Elle has won this year's American Hero Dog Award.
Elle and her owner, Leah Brewer from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, were honored at the 2013 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards this past October 6.
The ceremony took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Look to the Stars tells us.
In case anyone was wondering, Elle is a therapy dog. She spends most of her days helping kids learn how to read, and encourages them to overcome prejudice and stereotypes.
Apparently, the pooch and her owner visit elementary and middle schools in North Carolina on a regular basis. Kids take turns reading to Elle, and the latter patiently listens to them.
These visits are part of a program dubbed Tail Wagging Tales.
Leah explains that, by being this close to children, Ella also teaches them about dog safety and helps them overcome their fear of dogs.
“Choosing a top dog is difficult because they are all so terrific, but we are proud to announce Elle as the top American Hero Dog for 2013. As an organization that for years has fought breed-specific legislation (BSL), we are also pleased to honor a breed that has been often been unjustly maligned,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association said in a statement.
Furthermore, “We hope that Elle’s story will help to underscore the many tremendously positive qualities of this breed.”