In 2022, the Jewish Light introduced you to Katie Harris and her service dog Moxie. Harris, 42, a Jewish St. Louis-based social worker, was diagnosed in 2015 with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels and organs.
Moxie Harris is a precocious 5-year-old Goldendoodle who will retrieve Katie’s shoes, and her phone, or handle just about any other household task. Now, Moxie has another role—she was recently named the 2023 National Hero Service Dog in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards.
Moxie is one of a handful of dogs honored by the American Humane organization, correct?
Yes, there are five categories. The others are therapy, police, military and shelter. The winner of all the categories compete for the top, but there’s no voting for that. It’s chosen by a blue ribbon panel and will be announced at a red carpet celebrity gala.
How does it make you and Moxie feel to get this honor?
It’s incredible. We lost last year and there were so many rounds of voting and it was just so hard that I was thinking ‘I can’t do it again.’ And now here we are! To be able to have a national platform for Moxie’s Mission by recognizing her is why I was pushing so hard for this. Because with exposure comes growth, and with growth comes helping more people. And my sole goal is to help more people.
Can you explain Moxie’s Mission?
It’s a nonprofit 501(C)3 with a mission of paying it forward and making a difference. We fund service dogs for veterans, first responders, people in need. Right now, we’re funding for a first responder, but the other aspect of Moxie’s Mission is providing education on service dogs, therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and their differences.
You and Moxie also visit schools to educate kids about the role of service dogs, correct?
Yes, we’re trying to get into more schools. We do demonstrations and provide education in a fun way. We also are going into high schools to talk about my journey and mental health and the importance of not giving up, paying it forward and making a difference. Anyone interested in having us visit should email a request for information to [email protected]
When Moxie isn’t working, what are her favorite snacks and activities?
Her favorite treat is anything with peanut butter and bacon flavor. Her favorite thing to do is play basketball. She has her own basketball court. If there are toys around, she’ll choose the basketball every time.
The winner of the 13th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards will be broadcast on A&E on November 26 and the FYI Channel on Thanksgiving Day.
