CNN Hero of the Year is ...

• The 2014 CNN Hero of the Year is Pen Farthing, founder of Nowzad Dogs


• Named after the dog Farthing adopted in Afghanistan, Nowzad reunites soldiers with strays


• Farthing: "I know that the dog I looked after was my saving grace from the stress of conflict


• "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" airs Sunday, December 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET

(CNN) -- Pen Farthing, who founded a nonprofit that reunites soldiers at home with stray dogs and cats they took in during combat, has been named the 2014 CNN Hero of the Year.

"There is no stronger bond between man and dog than that formed during war," Farthing said Tuesday evening.

The announcement was made Tuesday night at New York's American Museum of Natural History, where Anderson Cooper hosted "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute." The event honored the Top 10 CNN Heroes, everyday people making extraordinary efforts to change the world.

Pen Farthing, a former sergeant in the Royal Marines, is reuniting soldiers with the stray dogs they befriended while serving in Afghanistan. Farthing's nonprofit, Nowzad Dogs, has helped more than 700 soldiers from eight countries.

Farthing named his nonprofit for the stray he rescued during his tour. He said Nowzad filled an important void in his life: "My time with this dog was a way of de-stressing, collecting my thoughts."

Nowzad Dogs has a shelter and clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan, that includes several trained veterinarians. The clinic spays or neuters street dogs and cats. It also vaccinates them and gives them microchips.

Nowzad Dogs works to promote animal welfare in Afghanistan, a country that Farthing wants to retain a connection to.

Pets spend two to three months at the shelter before being transported to the soldier's home country.

Farthing says his dog, Nowzad, adopted him after Farthing broke up a dogfight.

Farthing's organization is one of the only official animal shelters in Afghanistan.

Nowzad Dogs' Kabul-based shelter and clinic are staffed by 14 Afghan nationals.

Farthing carries food for animals.

Nowzad Dogs has reunited almost 700 people with their adopted animals in Afghanistan.

CNN Hero: Pen Farthing

"Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch was a presenter at 2014's "CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute" at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Tribute show presenter Kathy Griffin and host Anderson Cooper.

Sheryl Crow joined Top 10 CNN Hero Arthur Bloom and the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band onstage at the event to perform Levon Helm's "Wide River to Cross."

"Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks was a presenter at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute."

Quvenzhané Wallis, who stars in the new remake of the film "Annie," helped present the Young Wonder awards to remarkable youths who were recognized and honored by CNN.

Michaela Pereira, host of CNN's "New Day" and "CNN Tonight" host Don Lemon.

Musician Tyler James Williams.

Trisha Yearwood performed the title track from her new album, "PrizeFighter."

Morgan Spurlock, filmmaker and host of CNN's "Inside Man," was a presenter.

Also among the presenters was The Roots' Questlove.

John Walsh, victims' rights advocate and host of the CNN Original Series "The Hunt" is pictured arriving.

Chef and author Rocco DiSpirito is pictured arriving at the 8th annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute."

Mexican model, singer and actor Eduardo Verastegui on the "Heroes" red carpet.

Actor David Mazouz, who plays young Bruce Wayne on TV's "Gotham."

CNN's Ashleigh Banfield.

"The Walking Dead" actor Chad L. Coleman.

CNN's "New Day" co-host Kate Bolduan.

CNN's "New Day" co-host Chris Cuomo

"Homeland" actor and star of "The Blacklist," Diego Klattenhoff.

"The Good Wife" and "True Blood" actress Carrie Preston.

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute: Red carpet

CNN Hero: Pen Farthing

"Wow, I am absolutely at a loss for words," Farthing said Tuesday as he accepted the award. "This is absolutely amazing. I would really like to thank everybody who voted for the Nowzad charity and what we do in Afghanistan and believing in us. And I would also like to thank all the other heroes in this room for doing what they do to make this world an absolute better place. Thank you guys for doing what you do. Thank you."

2014 CNN Hero of the Year: Pen Farthing

In 2006, when Farthing helped break up a dogfight in the town of Nowzad, Afghanistan, the Royal Marine sergeant didn't think much of it. The war-torn town was overrun with dogs.

But when one of those dogs followed Farthing back to base, it was soon hard to tell who rescued whom.

Farthing named his new friend "Nowzad," and as a result of his struggle to bring Nowzad home to his native England the next year, Farthing founded Nowzad Dogs to help other soldiers whose lives were turned around by the animals they befriended in war-torn towns.

Now in its eighth year, CNN Heroes has profiled over 200 people since 2007. The 2014 Top 10 were nominated by CNN's worldwide audience and featured earlier this year on the network. The winner was selected this week at the conclusion of six weeks of public voting.

In addition to the $25,000 that each of the 2014 Top 10 CNN Heroes receives, Farthing will be awarded $100,000 for his cause.

"Speaking from my own experience," Farthing, 45, said, "I know that the dog I looked after was my saving grace from the stress of conflict. And because of that initial bond, the work goes on: reuniting soldiers with their companions, tackling rabies, and training veterinarians in Kabul. I would like to thank everybody for their support. We're making a difference for the Afghan people, the soldiers and one dog and cat at a time."

To date, Nowzad Dogs has reunited nearly 700 soldiers with the animals they adopted in Afghanistan.

One soldier who was connected with Farthing's organization is Staff Sgt. Edwin Caba.

When a litter of puppies was born on Caba's base in Afghanistan, the soldiers fed, bathed, bonded and cared for them. Caba bonded with one puppy in particular, a female he named Cadence.

But when his tour of duty ended, Caba, an American, was heartbroken when he had to leave Cadence behind.

Last year, Caba and fellow soldiers were reunited with the puppies in New York, through Farthing's nonprofit.

"When I pulled Cadence out of the crate at (the airport)," Caba told CNN earlier this year, "I was just so excited. I was even more excited that she remembered me. It kind of brought me back to coming back after a mission and having her there. It brought me right back to that feeling."

That feeling Caba spoke of is precisely what Nowzad Dogs is all about.

"On every single street corner in Kabul you will find stray dogs," said Farthing. "To be able to get that animal home to them, it closes the loop. ... They don't want to just abandon that animal."

Farthing was introduced by .

Other presenters included actress and "The View" co-host Rosie Perez, model and "Murder in the First" actor Taye Diggs, "Fugly!" actor John Leguizamo, "Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks, "LIVE with Kelly and Michael" co-host Kelly Ripa, comedian Kathy Griffin, filmmaker and host of CNN's "Inside Man" Morgan Spurlock, and The Roots' Questlove.

Photos: Stars on the 'Heroes' red carpet

Sheryl Crow joined Top 10 CNN Hero Arthur Bloom and the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band to perform Levon Helm's "Wide River to Cross."

In addition, country music's Trisha Yearwood sang the title track from her new album, "PrizeFighter."

The tribute show will be broadcast on CNN on Sunday, December 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

As part of their award package, each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes will also receive organizational training through the Annenberg Foundation, a global supporter of nonprofit organizations. All 10 Heroes will participate in customized versions of the Annenberg Alchemy program, tailored to help grow their individual organizations.

How you can help

Here are the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2014, listed in alphabetical order:

Arthur Bloom: How the healing power of music helps wounded warriors Arthur Bloom has used the healing power of music to help hundreds of injured soldiers recover their lives. His program, MusiCorps, pairs professional musicians with troops recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, helping them play instruments and write and record music. "By injecting music into this space, we can inject life," Bloom said. "There's nothing injured about the way they do it. It's just good music."

Jon Burns: Turning soccer fans into an army for good Jon Burns is rallying fellow soccer fans to help children from poor communities in cities hosting the World Cup and other major tournaments. Since 2006, his nonprofit, Lionsraw, has engaged more than 500 volunteers in construction projects and educational programs that have benefited nearly 6,000 children. "We're trying to harness the passion of football fans to make a difference," he said.

Pen Farthing: Reuniting soldiers with dogs they left behind Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marine sergeant, is reuniting soldiers with the stray dogs they befriend while serving in Afghanistan. His nonprofit, Nowzad Dogs -- named for the stray Farthing rescued during his tour -- has helped more than 700 soldiers from eight countries. "My connection with Afghanistan stayed alive because of Nowzad," Farthing said. "To be able to get that animal home to them, it closes the loop."

Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg: Helping kids kick the pain and fear out of cancer Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg lost his 2-year-old daughter to leukemia in 1981. Today, his nonprofit, Kids Kicking Cancer, uses martial arts to help children battling serious illnesses manage pain during medical treatments. The group has provided free lessons and support for 5,000 children and their families. "They're often so afraid," Goldberg said. "We teach kids how to control their pain and make them feel powerful."

Leela Hazzah: Transforming lion killers into 'Lion Guardians' Leela Hazzah has dedicated her life to lion conservation. In 2007, she started Lion Guardians, a nonprofit that works with African Maasai warriors to protect lions. The group now employs more than 70 Lion Guardians throughout East Africa and has helped the lion population grow. "I know we're making a difference," Hazzah said. "When I first moved here, I never heard lions roaring. But now I hear lions roaring all the time."

Patricia Kelly: Cowgirl uses horses to motivate at-risk kids Patricia Kelly is using horses to motivate at-risk children in Hartford, Connecticut. Her nonprofit, Ebony Horsewomen, provides horseback riding lessons and teaches animal science to more than 300 young people a year. "We use horses as a hook to create pride, esteem and healing," said Kelly. "They learn that they have ability. They just have to unlock it."

Annette March-Grier: Helping Baltimore's grieving kids heal Annette March-Grier grew up in her family's funeral home. After her mother's death, she created Roberta's House, a nonprofit in Baltimore that helps children and their families cope with grief. Since 2008, more than 1,000 children have benefited from the group's free programs. "We're giving families in this city a sense of hope," she said. "We're helping to heal wounds and bring families back together again."

Ned Norton: Fitness buff helps disabled find 'strength' For the last 25 years, Ned Norton has provided strength and conditioning training to people living with a variety of disabilities. He now trains more than 120 people every week through his nonprofit, Warriors on Wheels. "I'm building them up, building them stronger, so they can go out and live life like they're supposed to." Norton said.

Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes: Building a brighter future for Guatemala's kids Amid the violence in his native Guatemala, Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes turned his family's home into a haven for young people. Since 2006, his nonprofit, Los Patojos (the Little Ones), has provided educational opportunities and support to more than 1,000 children. I want to inspire these kids," he said. "They are the ones in charge of writing the new history in Guatemala."

Dr. Wendy Ross: Taking autistic kids out to a ball game Dr. Wendy Ross is opening new worlds to autistic children and their families. Since 2010, her nonprofit, Autism Inclusion Resources, has helped hundreds of families navigate challenging social situations, such as sporting events and airport travel. "If you start taking steps outside of your door, your world gets bigger and bigger," said Ross. "We just want people to have opportunities."