Dennis Leonardi and his dog Simba were announced the winners, based on having raised the most money for Providence Health Humboldt dog therapy program. “I’m very proud to have been a part of this contest,” Leonardi said, “and it was nice to be a part of something so positive. It was a fun experience, and it meant a lot to me,” he added, “and people were very generous and kind.” Leonardi and Simba raised almost $10,000 for the charity that was selected.
Throughout the month of August, the Dog of the Year contestants and their owners will be raising money for specific animal-related charities, and whoever raises the most money will be the winner of the Dog of the Year contest.
The magnitude 6.4 earthquake shattered glass, shook homes off foundations, damaged roads and left nearly 60,000 homes and businesses in the rural area without power and many without water.