She wasn't chosen as the top 2020 American Humane Hero Dog of the Year, but Olive is still a winner.
The poodle mix gained notoriety as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate. She became the nation's top therapy dog in 2020 and competed with six other dogs for the overall title.
Alas, another rescue dog was selected as the overall winner.
During a broadcast on the Hallmark Channel on Monday evening, the top American Humane Hero Dog Award went to MacKenzie, a 4-pound chihuahua who helps care for other rescued animals.
But there's no need to be disappointed, Olive's person, Capital City CASA volunteer Lisa Bax said.
"We're still smiling. She's just a small-town dog trying to do things for kiddos," Bax said.
Bax offered congratulations to all the category winners.
Olive works as a therapy dog, helping children who find themselves, through no faults of their own, going through the ordeal of the courts system.
CASA is a volunteer-powered network of people from all walks of life (and one dog) who believe society has a fundamental obligation to make sure children thrive, are treated with dignity and are kept safe. Its volunteers, appointed by judges, watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. They try to make certain the children don't get lost in overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes.
"We're so humbled by the fact that awareness has been raised for Olive's mission," Bax said, "for volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children in the court system."