LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The pup who won the hearts of so many has been recognized as a Compassion Ambassador.
Ethan the dog was left for dead at the Kentucky Humane Society before making a full recovery and being adopted. His story went viral and earned him thousands of fans.
On Tuesday, nearly two months after Ethan was officially adopted, he was recognized as a Compassion Ambassador by the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Mayor's Give a Day campaign. Ethan was chosen as an ambassador after his story united people around a cause.
Jeff Callaway, Ethan's new owner, said he gets notes from people all over the world inspired by Ethan's story.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog plays with a tennis ball after receiving a proclamation from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's office recognizing him as a "Compassionate Ambassador." The award was jointly presented in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2021, by the mayor's office and the Kentucky Derby Festival.
IMAGES | Ethan the Dog 'Compassion Ambassador' Ceremony
Pictured: a proclamation from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's office naming Ethan the Dog a "Compassionate Ambassador." The award was jointly presented in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2021, by the mayor's office and the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog during a ceremony honoring him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4th, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
Pictured: Ethan the Dog plays with a tennis ball after receiving a proclamation from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's office recognizing him as a "Compassionate Ambassador." The award was jointly presented in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2021, by the mayor's office and the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Ethan the Dog checks out a proclamation from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's office and the Kentucky Derby Festival recognizing him as a "Compassion Ambassador" on May 4, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.
"Through his story and his recovery and his strength, they've now sent me notes saying they've been able to pick themselves up and put their lives back together," Callaway said. "And it's just an amazing testament to a little dog that was found out here in the parking lot that he is changing lives like that."
Pictured: the official Kentucky Derby Festival bowtie given to Ethan the Dog after he was named "Compassion Ambassador" in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2021.
In addition to receiving a proclamation from the mayor's office, Ethan was presented with his very own official Kentucky Derby Festival bowtie.
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