Huntington Beer-Delivery Dogs Among 'Most Heroic Dogs Of 2020'

HUNTINGTON, NY — Huntington is home to a pair of heroic pups who happen to be beer drinkers' best friends.

Buddy and Barley, who are known as Six Harbors Brewing Company's "brew dogs," made Halo with Cesar Millan's "List of the Top 10 Most Heroic Dogs of 2020."

The male doggie duo got their time to shine when the coronavirus pandemic forced restrictions on businesses across the globe. Craft beer breweries had to adjust to making deliveries and curbside pick-up available since tasting rooms were shuttered for months during spring. That's where the canines came in.

Buddy and Barley would run beer up to the homes of those who ordered Six Harbors beverages. Karen Heuwetter, who owns the brewery with her husband, Mark, told CBS News that using the dogs for deliveries helped the merchants maintain social distancing guidelines.

"Buddy and Barley continue to deliver beer to customers, and they love their job," the brewery told Patch in a statement. "[They] bring comfort to them during the pandemic. They are surrogate therapy dogs."

Together, the brew dogs were ranked No. 7 on the list by Halo, a company that produces smart collars for dogs.

"Buddy and Barley are known collectively as the 'brew dogs' and have been bringing joy and beer to residents of Huntington, New York since stay-at-home orders have largely confined people to their homes," the list reads. "Not only are the dogs bringing smiles to peoples’ faces during a time when we desperately need them, but they also help their owners maintain social distancing guidelines when making deliveries, putting them and their customers' minds at ease."

In August, a third beer pup joined the fray. Brandy, a 5-month-old brew dog-in-training, made her first delivery in late October, joining her two brothers.

Six Harbors Brewing Company is at 243 New York Ave., Huntington. The brewery is open for indoor and outdoor seating and still features deliveries and pickup, according to its website. The brewery is open noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. The brewery features wheat beers, IPAs, ales and more.

Cesar Millan, a dog behaviorist and trainer, co-founded Halo with Michael and Ken Ehrman in 2020.

"We want to recognize and applaud all of these dogs for their companionship, heroics, and playfulness — and simply to say thank you for helping us stay healthy and sane," Millan said.

Buddy and Barley are the only New York dogs to make the list, according to a representative.