Vineyard native Theresa Carroll and her therapy dog Winston are among the top 100 finalists in the Milk-Bone Moments nationwide search to find America’s first-ever Milk-Bone Spokesdog.

First thing Ms. Carroll and Winston got was their own spokesperson — “my dog has a publicist in Los Angeles!” laughed a thrilled Ms. Carroll, who is hoping for online votes to take Winston all the way (and to get Ms. Carroll out of the doghouse with her husband, who noted it was payback time for all the food, care and training bills Winston has racked up).

“Dog parents” were invited to upload a photo or video depicting the special bond between a pet and their pet parents. After reviewing the thousands of submissions, judges chose Theresa and Winston, as one of their top 100 favoritemoments. 

The second and final leg of the contest decides who the grand prize winner will be via an online voting poll. Votes can be cast at the Web site milkbone.icmodus.com from now through Nov.18. With the grandprize — a $100,000 contract to serve as the first-ever Milk-Bone Spokesdog,plus a digital camera to record the year’s activities — you can bet the competition is going to be, er, ruff. 

Ms. Carroll and Winston’s involvement in pet facilitated therapy required vigorous training before the finally earned their certification volunteering in various facilities. Their niche now is bringing pet therapy to the courageous kids at a Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Westchester County. 

Ms. Carroll noted that “the most rewarding part of volunteering is watching Winston become part of the healing process of so many children, some with chronic and catastrophicdiagnoses. There are days on the drive home from the hospital that I would tear up indisbelief and gratitudethat Winston could make such a difference in the life and healingprocess of just onechild on that day.”

Currently Winston performs over 20 behaviors and is still adding to his repertoire — Winston has actually landed a role on Saturday Night Live, playing a silly circus dog. Since then, struggling actor Winston has landed a Nickelodeon appearance, fashion photo shoots, a music video, and some industry promotionalevents. It’s a tough business, but it has its benefits: Winston’s newfound “performance art” brings a new dimension of love and laughter, theatre and therapy to, his most valued audience, the kids at the Children’s Hospital.