This story was selected for our series: “Top Stories of 2014.”
Since 2007, every year, CNN recognizes everyday people from around the world for making the world a better place. Every fall, after collecting nominations from the general public, CNN introduces the CNN ‘Top 10 Heroes’ and asks the public to vote for their favorites. This year, each of the ten heroes was awarded $25,000 and the hero of the year received an additional $100,000 to continue doing exemplary work.
During the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute show, CNN honored the top ten heroes for their exceptional humanitarian contributions and announced the CNN Hero of the Year. If you have never seen the show, I highly recommend watching it. Personally, I find it incredibly inspiring to see what people can do when they dedicate themselves to making the world a better place. In contrast to the regular news cycle that bombards and numbs us with endless stories of crime, violence and tragedy, CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute reminds us that there are good people in the world that dedicate their lives to helping others.
Who was hero of the year?
This year, Pen Farthing, founder of a pet charity called Nowzad, won ‘CNN Hero of the Year.’ So who is Pen Farthing and what is Nowzad?
According to nowzad.com, Pen Farthing, an ex member of the Royal Marines, started Nowzad in May of 2007. Farthing had been stationed in the Afghanistan town of Now Zad in 2006. He was struck by how the town was overrun by stray dogs. One day, after breaking up a dogfight, he was followed home by a dog he later named ‘Nowzad,’ reports Katie McLaughlin of CNN. Nowzad became a faithful companion and ultimately the inspiration for Pen Farhting’s nonprofit Nowzad Dogs. Farthing rescued Nowzad from his life as a stray, and Nowzad returned the favor by rescuing Farthing from the stresses of combat.
As a result of the difficulty he experienced when trying to bring Nowzad home to England, Farthing founded Nowzad Dogs to help other returning soldiers reunite with the dogs and cats they adopted while on duty in Afghanistan. Nowzad Dogs has helped reunite nearly 700 soldiers with the animals they adopted, says McLaughlin. Since then, the mission has focused on helping the strays of Afghanistan.
Helping the dogs of Afghanistan
Nowzad Dogs charity operates the only official animal shelter in Afghanistan. In addition, they have a small animal clinic and help train local Afghani veterinarians. They also are determined to start a trap, neuter, vaccinate and release project to help decrease the population of stray dogs and to lower the incidence of canine rabies. You can learn more about Nowzad Dogs here on their website.
Hopefully, reading about Pen Farthing and Nowzad Dogs has inspired you as well. Pen Farthing and the other ‘CNN Top 10 Heroes’ serve as reminders that one dedicated person can make a huge impact in the world. We can accomplish anything we want with hard work and perseverance. Just imagine how amazing the world would be if we all dedicated ourselves to one worthy cause?
More of 2014's top stories:
- Spice the Miracle Kitten will be Home for the Holidays
- The Unbelievable Christmas Reunion Nobody Saw Coming
- CDC Releases Information about Ebola and Pets
- Dramatic Bald-Eagle Rescue; Lead Poisoning to Blame
- Grumpy Cat and Other Feline Celebrities Meet in Los Angeles
- Oldest Cat in the World Enjoys 24th Birthday!
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.