Animal and human heroes from across the country will be honored for their heroic contributions to animal welfare at annual luncheon on October 8 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City
NEW YORK, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) unveiled the recipients for the 2026 Humane Awards, celebrating both remarkable people and animal heroes nationwide who have made extraordinary contributions to animal welfare and improve the lives of those around them.
This year's honorees include miniature therapy horses Aiden and Pearl, Kid of the Year Eloise "Lulu" Peck, farm animal welfare advocate Craig Watts, New York City Police Department Mounted Unit's Detective Kyle McLaughlin, Dog of the Year Canyon, and Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD). Their efforts range from being deployed to the harshest conditions to assist search-and-rescue and recovery efforts to bring closure to families; exposing harmful animal welfare concerns within the poultry industry; keeping our communities safe; spreading compassion and kindness; and touching the lives of individuals struggling with grief, crisis and terminal illness. The 2026 ASPCA Humane Awards will recognize these powerful contributions at the annual luncheon at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
"Animals show us extraordinary courage, resilience and an incredible capacity to trust and connect," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO. "The ASPCA Humane Awards celebrate remarkable animals whose stories inspire us and remind us why protecting and caring for animals matters so deeply."
The ASPCA winners were selected in six categories, including ASPCA Equine Welfare Award, ASPCA Kid of the Year, ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare Award, ASPCA Public Service Award, ASPCA Dog of the Year and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, named after the ASPCA's founder, which is given to an individual or institution exhibiting exceptional leadership, compassion and commitment to animal welfare.
This year's valiant honorees include:
- ASPCA Equine Welfare Award - Aiden and Pearl
For more than a decade, Aiden (a 16-year-old gelding) and Pearl (an 18-year-old mare) have brought comfort, connection and joy to thousands across New York as HorseAbility's beloved miniature therapy horses. HorseAbility is a nonprofit that improves the lives of individuals with special needs through equine-assisted services.
This calm, adaptable pair travels together to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers providing therapeutic interactions for individuals facing physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. Confidently navigating elevators, wheelchairs, and medical equipment, Aiden and Pearl demonstrate the profound impact horses have on human healing, companionship, and emotional well-being.
- ASPCA Kid of the Year - Eloise Peck
Eloise "Lulu" Peck, named after the beloved character from Eloise at the Plaza, touched everyone around her with an extraordinary love for animals, compassion, and an open heart. She delighted in befriending every creature she met—a spirit best captured by her pre-camp lemonade stand sign: "Lemonade is $5. Dogs Drink Free."
At just 8 years old, Eloise was one of the young lives lost in the devastating floods near Camp Mystic in Texas in July 2025. To honor her legacy, her family established the Living for Lulu Foundation to continue her mission of inspiring kindness and caring for animals in need.
- ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare Award - Craig Watts
Craig Watts is a leading advocate for farm animal welfare and contract poultry farmers. A former contract chicken grower for Perdue, he partnered with Compassion in World Farming USA in 2014 to expose industry practices and animal welfare concerns, earning national coverage in The New York Times and more.
Today, Craig serves as Contract Grower Transition Program Director for the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project (SRAP), helping farmers transition away from industrial animal agriculture and toward sustainable, humane alternatives. He lives with his wife and three children, alongside two dogs (Bean and Sue), five goats (Bandit, Jimmy, Reva, Gabby and George), and several chickens and ducks.
- ASPCA Public Service Award - Detective Kyle McLaughlin
Det. Kyle McLaughlin, a 13-year NYPD veteran with the Mounted Unit, patrols New York City's five boroughs alongside his equine partner, Kelly, a rescued Standardbred. Paired in 2020, the duo provides a visible, approachable presence at public events, parades and daily patrols, showcasing the powerful impact of giving rescued animals a second chance to thrive.
In April 2026, their remarkable bond drew national attention when they pursued a fleeing suspected purse thief on horseback through Manhattan's Upper West Side, leading to a swift apprehension caught on bodycam. Det. McLaughlin's dedication to public safety, compassion for animals, and extraordinary partnership with Kelly exemplifies the profound bond between humans and animals. Off duty, he lives with his wife, four children, a golden retriever named Ryker, and three adopted cats: Tito, Taco, and Shay.
- ASPCA Dog of the Year - Canyon
Rescued as a Mississippi stray and brought to the Hancock County Animal Shelter in 2021, Canyon was placed with Category 5 K9 after a handler spotted his exceptional intelligence and drive. Following months of medical care, he earned dual certifications in 2023 through FEMA for Human Remains Detection and the International Police Work Dog Association for wilderness operations.
As a premier search-and-rescue canine, Canyon has deployed to major disasters like the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Helene, and the 2025 Texas floods—where he spent over 90 days searching along the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic. Alongside his handler, he has also assisted in numerous missing persons and homicide investigations, helping bring answers and closure to families during their most difficult moments.
From shelter dog to highly skilled working canine, Canyon exemplifies the resilience, dedication and lifesaving impact that dogs can have when given a second chance.
- ASPCA Henry Bergh Award - Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD)
Founded in Summit County, Colorado in the early 1990s, Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD) is a pioneering nonprofit uniting canine teams, ski patrols, search-and-rescue organizations, law enforcement, and aviation partners to improve survival outcomes for people caught in avalanches.
What began as a small coalition of handlers and agencies has grown into a nationally respected organization that trains and supports avalanche dog teams throughout the western United States and Canada. Through rigorous cross-agency training and specialized dog handler teams, C-RAD sets the standard for alpine search-and-rescue, performing lifesaving deployments in extreme winter conditions. The organization's success is a testament to the remarkable bond between humans and animals, demonstrating how highly trained dogs and their handlers can work together to accomplish lifesaving feats in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
For more information on the 2026 Humane Awards Luncheon or to make a donation to the ASPCA, visit aspca.org/2026HAL. Your support will help the ASPCA continue its frontline work to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty, revolutionizing the way society cares for animals.
About the ASPCA®
The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For 160 years, we've been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation's first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
SOURCE ASPCA®
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