The American Humane Association recently honored eight dogs that epitomize the selfless traits of courageous canines.

Among the plucky pooches was a lab that can detect signs of arson in smoldering ruins, a police dog that saved his partner’s life and a bloodhound with a knack for finding lost pets. One dog can signal half an hour before its handler has an epileptic attack, while another cushions a former Marine from the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Several of the canines have their own stories of suffering. An ex-military dog missing a front leg is a mascot for other retired working dogs needing care. And two previously abused dogs show their will to live and forgive — one by serving as a therapy dog and the other by helping to campaign against puppy mills.

It’s all in a day’s work for these heroic hounds.