RECORDING ARTIST AND ACTRESS KATHARINE McPHEE TO PERFORM AT SIXTH ANNUAL "AMERICAN HUMANE HERO DOG AWARDS(R)"

BETH STERN, JAMES DENTON RETURN AS CO-HOSTS

Two-Hour Special Premieres on Hallmark Channel October 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Beverly Hills, CA - September 8, 2016 - American Humane and Hallmark Channel announced today that popular recording artist and actress Katharine McPhee ("American Idol," "Scorpion," "Smash," "The House Bunny") will headline as the musical act at the sixth annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards(R). She joins TV personality, author, and animal welfare advocate Beth Stern ("Kitten Bowl") and actor James Denton (Hallmark Channel's "Good Witch," "Devious Maids," "Desperate Housewives"), who will take the stage for the third consecutive year as co-hosts.

The two-hour special tapes at the landmark Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on September 10 and is scheduled to premiere on Hallmark Channel Friday, October 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

"Katharine's love of dogs makes her the perfect fit as this year's 'Hero Dog Awards' headlining musical act," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "She joins a terrific roster of talent, including our returning co-hosts, Beth Stern and James Denton, whose passion, warmth and humor bring so much entertainment value to the program and its celebration of this year's amazing Hero Dogs."

"We're so thrilled to announce animal-lover Katharine McPhee as musical headliner at this year's Hero Dog Awards, and to welcome back Beth Stern and James Denton as co-hosts for their third consecutive year," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. "Their tremendous talents will undoubtedly make for a special evening of entertainment. But most important, the participation of these compassionate celebrities will help bring even more attention to the extraordinary ways that dogs enrich our lives."

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards, presented for six years by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, shines a spotlight on our canine companions and the countless ways they enrich, protect, and save lives every day. Each year, the American public and a special celebrity judging panel select eight special dogs from a national pool of nominees - one in each of the following eight categories:

· Search & Rescue

· Military

· Law Enforcement

· Arson

· Guide/Hearing

· Service

· Therapy

· Emerging Hero - A category recognizing ordinary pets who have done extraordinary things.

The finalists and their handlers are flown to Los Angeles where they are feted at a red-carpet, star-studded awards gala. The evening culminates with the announcement of the top American Hero Dog of the Year. For more information about this year's finalists and to vote for the 2016 American Hero Dog, please visit www.herodogawards.org.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 90 million homes. As the country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature new, original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other new, original content, including scripted primetime series, such as "Good Witch," "When Calls the Heart" and "Chesapeake Shores"; annual specials including "Kitten Bowl" and "Hero Dog Awards"; and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, "Home & Family." Additionally, Hallmark Channel is the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers annual holiday programming franchises, including "Countdown to Christmas," "Countdown to Valentine's Day," "Summer Nights," "Fall Harvest" and "Winterfest." Rounding out the network's diverse slate are some of television's most beloved comedies and series, including "The Golden Girls," "The Middle," "Last Man Standing," and "Frasier." Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks. Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube

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ABOUT AMERICAN HUMANE

American Humane is the country's first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org. To inquire about Hero Dog sponsorship opportunities, please email Mari Harner at marih@americanhumane.org.

ABOUT LOIS POPE, THE LOIS POPE LIFE FOUNDATION, INC., AND LIFE (LEADERS IN FURTHERING EDUCATION)

As one of America's leading philanthropists, Lois Pope has positively impacted the lives of individuals at the local, national and international levels. She has established three separate organizations dedicated to helping those in need. These organizations are the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, Inc., Leaders In Furthering Education (LIFE), and the Disabled Veterans' Life Memorial Foundation. For more than 20 years she has been the driving force behind the Lois Pope LIFE Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine, The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, and a groundbreaking new program with American Humane in Palm Beach County. Lois Pope has recently donated two Lois Pope Red Star Rescue Vehicles. Each rescue vehicle is a 50-foot long response unit, complete with a Ford F-350 truck and trailer, which is specifically designed and outfitted to provide an array of animal emergency services and cruelty responses within the region. Mrs. Pope recently saw the completion of a decade's long dream - the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which was dedicated by President Obama in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 5, 2014. The Memorial will forever stand as a reminder to the public and legislators of the courage and sacrifices of the four million living disabled veterans and all those who died before them for the need to be vigilant in assuring their support, as well as being aware of the human cost of war. A mother and a grandmother, Lois has trained for and completed five New York City Marathons.