Both two- and four-legged stars walked the red carpet at the 13th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday.
Among the famous faces lending their support: legendary supermodel Christie Brinkleywho also co-hosted the festivities alongside Carson Kressley.
The annual event is a nationwide competition that seeks out and recognizes America’s Hero Dogs, according to the organization’s website.
Often these heroes are “ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, giving sight or hearing to a human companion, or helping people achieve their goals.”
Ultimately, Maverick, a 150-pound European Great Dane therapy dog, was named the 2023 Hero Dog Award winner.
Notable: Christie Brinkley, 69, turned more than a few heads on Friday when she co-hosted the American Humane Hero Dog Awards at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
Ahead of the competition, Brinkley showed off her youthful side, decked out in a long red dress that hugged her model curves.
The statement number featured subtle ruffles at the waist and hips and glamorous draping down the center.
The Monroe, Michigan native and longtime New Yorker had her blonde locks styled long and flowing down her chest.
As her infectious smile lit up the room, the iconic cover girl kept the accessories to a minimum by carrying a simple black clutch.
After showing off her modeling skills on the red carpet solo, Brinkley then turned her attention to this year’s winner, Maverick.
Brinkley posed for a few photos with her arms wrapped around the proud pooch, who turned around and stared straight at the camera.
“They give us so much and it’s great to give back to them,” Brinkley said, according to CBS News 12 in Palm Beach.
Maverick’s handler, Missouri native Kelly Brownfield, shared some of the skills and benefits a dog like hers has to offer the world.
Hosts: Brinkley shared hosting duties with Carson Kressley, 54
Winning dog: At one point, the longtime supermodel posed with the winning dog, Maverick, a 150-pound European Great Dane therapy dog
The Hosts: Brinkley also took to her Instagram page to sing her co-host’s praises with a few photos of them rehearsing beforehand
“Just to have a therapy dog there during the toughest of times, whether it’s accompanying a child to their loved one’s grave, escorting them to a funeral, or maybe it’s just having him there to lean on a soldier going through a difficult time. Sometimes he just reminds you of what love is,” Brownfield said CBS 12 News.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue star also shared the red carpet spotlight with Kressley, who looked dapper in a black and white tuxedo.
“Singing the praises of my co-host @carsonkressley @americanhumane @herodogawards,” the top model wrote in the caption of an Instagram post in which the two co-hosts got playful before the show.
“I’m so excited to meet all the incredible dogs. If I had a tail it would be wagging!’ she wrote in part the day before in another promotional post.
Some of the other high-profile people on hand to lend their support included Knots Landing actress Donna Mills, 82, producer Richard Holland, 72, follow Knots Landing alumnus Nicollette Sheridan, 59, and The Real Housewives Of Miami- star Adriana de Moura, 57. .
Show of support: The other high-profile people on hand to lend their support were Knots Landing actress Donna Mills, 82, and producer Richard Holland, 72, who were color-coordinated in black
Animal lover: The Real Housewives Of Miami star Adriana de Moura, 57, showed off her fashion sense in a colorful figure-hugging dress
Another former Knot’s Landing alum, Nicollette Sheridan, 59, showed the participants a lot of love
Working: Sheridan looked sexy and elegant in an off-white spaghetti strap mini dress which she paired with a pair of strappy heels
Promo mode: Brinkley arrived with her agent for the dog event on Thursday
To find a winner of the 13th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, the prized puppies compete in seven different categories for the Hero Dog Awards: law enforcement and first aid dogs, service and guide/hearing dogs, therapy dogs, military dogs and emerging heroes. and shelter dogs.
Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and welfare of animals and is considered one of the nation’s oldest animal safety organizations.
The organization prides itself on being the “first to promote and maintain the bonds between animals and people” through its leadership programs.
Supporters can help make a difference; For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org.