OFFICIAL RULES 

The K-9 Hero Awards are subject to all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations. The submitted nominated K-9 Heroes of all applications must have appropriate certification documentation within their designated discipline of submission. Each nominee can only submit to be considered in one of the seven categories. Project K-9 Hero has the right to request and verify the submitted biography and certification documents at any time during the nomination process or beyond. Shall Project K-9 Hero determine that any of the submitted documentation is inaccurate, false, or embellished the nominee shall be disqualified immediately and prohibited from all future contests. The K-9 Hero Awards are open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time the nomination is submitted. The person submitting the nomination must be the current owner of the nominated hero or have notarized consent from the owner to enter them as an authorized agent. All persons who submit a nomination agree to be bound by all terms set forth in these official rules, unless prohibited by law. All entrant’s must digitally sign the Project K-9 Hero release portion of the nomination form authorizing Project K-9 Hero and their designated affiliates to use any submitted materials (including but not limited to the written Biography, Background, and Photograph). The K-9 Hero must be living at the time of entry and be located within the United States.

Nominations for the K-9 Hero Awards are open from March 15th, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST and end on August 2nd, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST. Each nominee must submit a completed nomination form for only one category to be considered for the awards. Each nominee must complete the required background information of the hero, biography of the career accomplishments, and a proper photograph. Nominations that do not contain the digitally signed release waiver will not be considered. Project K-9 Hero retains the right to extend the nomination period at any time. The K-9 Hero Awards entry form is available online at www.projectk9hero.org/nominate (or such other website designated by Project K-9 Hero). Nominations will be accepted online only, and there is no donation or purchase necessary to nominate or win.

All nominations must provide active or previous certification documents in one of the following seven (7) categories. A K-9 Hero may only enter into one category regardless of how many certifications they hold. For the Firearms Detection category, a K-9 may also provide certification documentation in Patrol or Explosives Detection.

1. Patrol Apprehension

2. Narcotics Detection

3. Explosives Detection

4. Firearms Detection

5. Search and Rescue

6. Accelerant Detection

7. Tracking

The winner of each category will be determined by the K-9 Awards Committee after careful review of each submission. Each entrant will be scored by the K-9 Hero Awards Committee on a comprehensive 100-point system in three areas: Most Individual Heroic Story; Career Accomplishments; and Community Relations, to determine each category winner. The winners will be notified within 30 days advance of the award ceremony via phone and/or e-mail, with the public announcement not being officially made until the live event in Washington D.C.

The K-9 Hero Awards winners in each category and his/her winning K-9 are required to travel to the live awards show in Washington D.C., with the exact date, time, and location to be announced at a later date. If a selected winner of a category is unable or unwilling to travel to the live event and/or participate in the awards show, an alternate winner for the respective category may be selected at the discretion of the K-9 Awards Committee. Project K-9 Hero or it’s sponsors will cover the costs of a round-trip, coach class air transportation from the closest major airport near winner’s residence to Washington D.C. for two people and the winning K-9 Hero. This includes three (3) days and two (2) nights of standard hotel accommodations (one (1) room, double occupancy, room, taxes, ground transportation to and from the awards and any other media related events provided). This coverage excludes food, beverages, insurance and any additional items the winners may want to purchase. Each winning K-9 Hero must travel according to the airline’s rules and regulations and are not guaranteed to travel in the cabin with the owner/handler. If winner resides within a 250-mile radius of Washington D.C.,Project K-9 Hero will reimburse the winner for the overall round trip mileage in accordance with IRS mileage reimbursement regulations. Mileage reimbursement will be provided in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided in lieu thereof. Actual value of the Trip may vary based on point of departure. Finalists are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents prior to travel. Trip must be taken on dates specified by Project K-9 Hero or will be forfeited, and the organization will have no further obligation to such winner. Project K-9 Hero reserves right to change event date, time, or location. Changes to event dates, time, or location will be given with reasonable notice to each winner via email. Certain travel restrictions may apply that are beyond the control of Project K-9 Hero. Winners are responsible for ensuring the safe travel of his/her dog and for the conduct of his/her dog (including, without limitation, ensuring his/her dog does not bite or otherwise injure any person or animal or otherwise do harm to any property) during travel and/or in any way connected with the K-9 Hero Awards. Project K-9 Hero reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to require additional documentation verifying dog and/or owner or handler are healthy and fit to travel and may prohibit travel and attendance at the live awards and related activities if Project K-9 Hero, in its sole discretion, deems it harmful or not safe for either dog or the winner. The winner’s trips are “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Project K-9 Hero. There will be no transfers, assignments, substitutions, credits for changes, refunds or cash equivalents for trips to the live K-9 Awards. However, Project K-9 Hero reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel the trip. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with trip acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided, including, any additional transportation, meals, luggage fees, gratuities and souvenirs. All trip details are at Project K-9 Hero’s sole discretion. Project K-9 Hero assumes in no liability for any damage done by the K-9 or Handler during the trip.

Each category winner will be notified by telephone and/or email. A short tribute video will be produced for each winner at the cost of Project K-9 Hero or its affiliates. Project K-9 Hero and their partners shall be responsible for creating the story content, all pre-production and post-production elements, and any crew travel or lodging expense. The overall odds of winning the K-9 Hero Awards is dependent on the number of nominations received.

By participating in the K-9 Hero Awards, each entrant agrees, for entrant and for entrant’s heirs, executors, and administrators to abide by these Official Rules and decisions of Project K-9 Hero and the K-9 Hero Awards Committee, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this contest. Furthermore each entrant agrees to release, discharge and hold harmless K-9 Hero Awards, Project K-9 Hero, the contest sponsors, their affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, sales representatives, agents, advertising, marketing and promotion agencies, consultants, contractors, and each of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives, and each of these companies’ and individuals’ respective successors, representatives and assigns (collectively referred to as, “Released Parties”) from, and waive any and all rights regarding, any and all actions, claims, injuries, death, liability, losses and damages (“Claims and Losses”) of any kind arising in any manner, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with or otherwise related to entrant’s (or entrant’s dog’s) participation in the K-9 Hero Awards or any contest-related activity (including but not limited to activity at the Event) or the acceptance, use or misuse of any travel or activity related thereto, and claims and losses based on publicity rights, copyright, trademark, defamation, invasion of privacy or any other third party right. The entrant agrees to indemnify the released parties from any and all claims and losses of any kind arising in any manner, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with or otherwise related entrant’s (or entrant’s dog’s) participation in the contest or any contest-related activity (including but not limited to activity at the K-9 Hero Awards) or the acceptance, use or misuse of any travel or activity related thereto, and claims and losses based on publicity rights, copyright, trademark, defamation, invasion of privacy or any other third party right. Unless prohibited by law, to permit Project K-9 Hero and its affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, sales representatives, agents, advertising, marketing and promotion agencies, merchandising partners, consultants, contractors, and each of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives, and each of these companies’ and individuals’ respective successors, representatives, and assigns and anyone authorized by any of them the use of entrant’s entry materials (including but not limited to the name, city, state, narrative and photograph) and any other materials provided by entrant (or otherwise connected with the story of such entry) and any derivations of the foregoing, and grants Sponsor and its agents the rights to publish, use, adapt, edit, modify and/or create derivative works of the elements of such entry materials and any other materials provided by entrant (or otherwise connected with the story of such entry) and any derivations of the foregoing, in any way, for programming, advertising, trade, commerce, publicity, promotional and other purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, worldwide and on the internet, and in perpetuity, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) or additional consents from entrant or any third party and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so whether or not such entry is selected as a winner, and with respect to each winning dog, unless prohibited by law or unless approved by Project K-9 Hero. Submission of a nomination form further constitutes the entrant’s irrevocable waiver of any moral rights and assignment and transfer to Project K-9 Hero of any and all rights, title and interest in and to the elements of the entry and any other materials provided by entrant. By participating, entrant also agrees not to release any publicity or other materials on their own or through someone else regarding their participation in the contest without the prior consent of the K-9 Hero Awards, or Project K-9 Hero which they may withhold in its sole discretion. 

BY SUBMITTING A CONTEST ENTRY FORM, ENTRANT REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT
HE/SHE HAS ALL NECESSARY RIGHTS TO HAVE THE ENTRY AND PHOTOGRAPH(S) AND ANY
OTHER MATERIALS PROVIDED BY ENTRANT POSTED ONLINE, INCLUDING CONVEYANCE OF THE COPYRIGHT TO PROJECT K-9 HERO AND THE K-9 HERO AWARDS.

Any attempted form of nomination, other than those previously stipulated, is prohibited. Nominations not complying in any way with these official rules are subject to disqualification at Project K-9 Hero’s sole discretion. Entrants waive all rights and remedies at law or in equity for any claim they may have relating to the K-9 Hero Awards. Project K-9 Hero’s decisions, including but not limited to interpretation of these official rules and conduct of all aspects of or related to the K-9 Hero Awards whether or not contemplated by these official rules, are final and binding in all matters relating to this contest. Project K-9 Hero and its affiliates have the right to correct any technical or other problems associated with administration of the K-9 Hero Awards.

All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these official rules, or the rights and obligations of any participant or sponsor in connection with the K-9 Hero Awards, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions which would cause the application or the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Michigan. Any action or litigation concerning these official rules shall take place exclusively in the federal or state courts sitting in the State of Michigan, and each entrant expressly consents to the jurisdiction of and venue in such courts and waives all defenses of lack of jurisdiction and inconvenient forum with respect to such courts. Any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the K-9 Hero Awards, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. Each nominee agrees to service of process by mail or other method acceptable under the laws of the District of State of Michigan. ANY CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS AND/OR AWARDS AGAINST ANY RELEASED PARTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERING THIS CONTEST. ENTRANT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS OR CLAIMS TO ATTORNEY’S FEES, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ENTRANT, WHETHER FORESEEABLE OR NOT AND WHETHER BASED ON NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE.

Rules are available online at https://projectk9hero.org/pages/awards-rules.

Except to the extent they conflict with these official rules or the nomination form, any personal information supplied by the nominee to Project K-9 Hero will be subject to our privacy policy posted at https://projectk9hero.org/policies/privacy-policy. By entering the K-9 Hero Awards and agreeing in the nomination form to receive communications from Project K-9 Hero and its approved affiliates, you agree that we may share your entry information (including but not limited to your name, address, and email) with our approved affiliates.