Ethan the dog travels to Frankfort as Gov. Beshear proclaims shelter awareness month in his name

All right, good afternoon everybody. I want to welcome so many incredible Kentucky ints to your state capital to be here today to see Ethan Almighty because of Ethan’s incredible inspiring story, one that is helping so many other animals, but also helping us be the good people uh that I think that we are and we can be so much positive change is being made and in Ethan’s honor as well as Jeff, we have declared today Ethan Almighty shelter hero, dog awareness day in the commonwealth. Contrary to what some people sometimes say, I know that I am not the center of attention at this event. So let me make sure we turn it over to the Kentucky Humane society. What *** great job this organization does as well as Jeff and Ethan, thank you all very much. Mhm Good afternoon. Can you hear me Okay? I don’t know if I can say much better than what governor Governor bashir said, but I would love to just say some words about Jeff and and the incredible dog Ethan. My name is Alyssa Gray and I am the president and Ceo at the Kentucky Humane society, it brings me great joy that we are here to be able to recognize Jeff Callaway and this big guy Ethan um *** few minutes ago, as many of you heard Governor bashir in their office made an acclamation that january is Ethan Almighty shelter animal awareness month. We also have another award that we want to share with everyone that Governor bashir has given it is the volunteer service award. We want to thank Governor bashir in his office for this well deserved honor and for shining *** light on shelter pets. Um As many of you know Ethan was dropped off in the parking lot of the Kentucky humane society *** little less than two years ago, weighing just £36. His story is one of hard work hope and resilience as you can see. He weighs *** healthy 1 30 or more right now with the help of Jeff and everyone that supported him supportive of him. He has become an ambassador, ambassador for shelters and shelter pets. Many compassionate people were involved involved in saving Ethan’s life, Several who are here today. Dr Billy Angela Dakota. They’re part of our talented vet team that saved him Valerie. She is here and she was one that took Ethan back with the help of other staff members to our medical suite. He was barely breathing. Um Then just *** few months later Valerie got to do his adoption to the Calloway family that was pretty unique and special. And then you all the dedicated Ethan almighty family, your support and cheers have been an incredible impact to the world and to R. K. H. S family in this family now is such an important time in animal welfare for us to come together, please support and adopt from local shelters. Many who are facing challenging times, shelters across Kentucky have *** high number of animals being surrendered and families in need of assistance. While in many places, adoptions are also down. We need your help to bring attention to the millions of other shelter animals who are just as deserving is *** second chance. Like Ethan, Jeff, we have one more surprise recognition for you and Ethan. I am honored to announce that our generous friends at the family foundation of fraser joy have followed Ethan story from day one and they want to do something to ensure that the Kentucky Humane society is able to care for other animals like Ethan no matter what. So starting today they are matching to $29,000 until he says, So that is going to start right away because of the celebration and will go until the 29th of this month. The day Ethan was found meaning every donation made to the Kentucky Humane society will be doubled to save even more lives. While continuing your legacy, Jeff, thank you for being selfless, passionate and humble. You inspire us all and thank you for sharing Ethan with us in the world. Mm hmm. Thank you to K. H. S. And the fraser Joy Foundation. That’s, that’s incredible. Um, I’m the kind of person who believes everything happens for *** reason uh, from the folks that dropped Ethan off in the parking lot to Tatum and his family who saw him right away and alerted K. H. S. Staff uh, to come out and care for him to Valerie’s quick reactions to Annie who didn’t give *** second thought and scooped him up and brought him to the vet area, uh from there to to dr Billy and Angela and Dakota and Rebecca and Jackie who instantly went into life saving mode and and saved saved Ethan’s life without any of these courageous acts. None of these other opportunities are even possible. Um to go from *** little dog that was not too far away from dying to national shelter hero dog of the year. And then not only that, but then to be named the american Humane hero dog of the year is was just beyond our wildest expectations. It just goes to show that the smallest little bit of kindness, the smallest little bit of support can in reality change the world, it can change people. Uh it can it can change animals and you know, and now it brings us to this, I mean to this place in the capital of Kentucky uh to be recognized by governor Beshear, thank you know, thank him so much for doing that. Um but you know, there are shelter animals all across the state that deserve *** second chance. You’ve heard of Travolta and liam and Amos and huck from the Lexington Humane society. And now magic. And you hear these stories honestly because they’re the most heartbreaking. But there are dogs in the shelters every day and the shelters are full that deserve good homes, they’re good dogs. Uh they just want their second chance. So you know, be diligent, be patient, go to your local shelters adopt from their foster from there. You know Ethan story has become *** story of recognizing shelter animals, but it’s *** story of spreading kindness and love and support. Um and so I want to thank uh all of you guys for coming here today. This is such an incredible turnout. Um Never ending. Thanks to the Ethan almighty family, how you guys um so much, you know, I’m in debt to you guys so much that I can’t repay it, but I will continue to try. Um Thanks to Governor bashir. Personal thanks to Alyssa Alyssa Gray, who has supported me, encouraged me uh step out of my box *** little bit and and we’ve done some creative and interesting things, some you know, on behalf of K. H. S. On my mind, but all with shelter animals in mind. Um I want to thank you um my wonderful wife and my family who have been there every step of the way who’s represented by um my beautiful fierce strong minded stepdaughter, uh who’s amazing. Uh they are behind the scenes, but they’re there every step of the way uh and *** special shout out to d d uh who is resilient and strong and determined and never takes no for an answer and you’re an inspiration to many. Thank you. Um So thank you guys again for coming, make sure that you get one of these commemorative coins and *** picture. And, um, you guys are incredible. Thank you so much for coming here today.

Ethan the dog, Louisville’s favorite rescue pup, went to the Kentucky State Capitol Monday.Gov. Beshear welcomed Ethan to Frankfort as he officially announced that January is “Ethan Almighty Animal Shelter Awareness Month.”The goal is to drive awareness of Ethan’s story to inspire people to support and adopt from local animal shelters.The governor’s office said the proclamation was made because there are millions of animals in need who are just as deserving of love and second chances as Ethan.Ethan won American Humane’s 2022 Hero Dog Award back in November.Ethan was dumped in the Kentucky Humane Society’s parking lot in January of 2021, weighing just 38 pounds when he should have weighed 80. Against all odds, Ethan survived and won the hearts of animal lovers from all over Kentucky and the world who have followed his journey and become a symbol of hope and resilience.Ethan has also been awarded the title of “Chief Tasting Officer” for Busch Beer’s nonalcoholic dog brew, created a line of Ethan dog biscuits to benefit KHS, and been inducted into the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame.Related stories

FRANKFORT, Ky. —

Ethan the dog, Louisville’s favorite rescue pup, went to the Kentucky State Capitol Monday.

Gov. Beshear welcomed Ethan to Frankfort as he officially announced that January is “Ethan Almighty Animal Shelter Awareness Month.”

The goal is to drive awareness of Ethan’s story to inspire people to support and adopt from local animal shelters.

The governor’s office said the proclamation was made because there are millions of animals in need who are just as deserving of love and second chances as Ethan.

Ethan the Dog’s Facebook page

Ethan won American Humane’s 2022 Hero Dog Award back in November.

Ethan was dumped in the Kentucky Humane Society’s parking lot in January of 2021, weighing just 38 pounds when he should have weighed 80. Against all odds, Ethan survived and won the hearts of animal lovers from all over Kentucky and the world who have followed his journey and become a symbol of hope and resilience.

Ethan has also been awarded the title of “Chief Tasting Officer” for Busch Beer’s nonalcoholic dog brew, created a line of Ethan dog biscuits to benefit KHS, and been inducted into the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame.