Kristin Chenoweth, Jewel and Denise Richards were among the animal-loving stars who honoured America's most courageous canines at the Hero Dog Awards on Saturday (06Oct12).

Naomi Judd and Joey Lawrence also showed up at the second annual American Humane Association event to recognise brave search and rescue, guide, hearing and military dogs.

Golden Girls icon Betty White was a special honouree, picking up the National Humanitarian Medal and Legacy Award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel gala in California.

Jewel stepped onstage to perform, while the evening's presenter Chenoweth gave her Twitter.com followers live updates, writing, "Having such a good time hosting The Hero Dog Awards."