Kristin Chenoweth, Whoopi Goldberg & More to Judge TV's Hero Dog Awards

Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth and Sister Act producer Whoopi Goldberg have signed on to serve as judges for the American Human Association’s Hero Dog Awards, which will be launched as a 90-minute special on the Hallmark Channel on November 11. Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels will also judge the competition, which will feature Ewan McGregor and Berry White as presenters.

The debut of Hero Dog Awards involves a nationwide search for America's top dogs, which will culminate in a red carpet awards gala in Beverly Hills on October 1. At the event, one dog from each of eight categories—Law Enforcement and Arson Dogs; Service Dogs; Therapy Dogs; Military Dogs; Guide Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Hearing Dogs, Emerging Hero Dogs (ordinary pets who do extraordinary things)—will be presented with an award and have their story told in a video tribute. Voting is currently underway at www.herodogawards.org.

In addition to honoring the eight category winners, a special Legacy Award will recognize Rin Tin Tin, who served the U.S. Military during World War I and went on to become an American movie idol. The award will be presented to one of his direct descendants, along with the dog's human handler.

Chenoweth's Maltese, Maddie, has achieved celebrity status due to the actress' tweets about her beloved pet's many health scares, most recently surgery to repair torn ligaments in her leg on July 18. Maddie survived previous surgery on a different leg as well as a bout of pancreatitis.