The ASPCA Honors Animal and Human Heroes at 2026 Humane Awards

On October 8, the ASPCA hosted the 2026 Humane Awards, celebrating both remarkable people and animal heroes nationwide who have made extraordinary contributions to animal welfare and to improving the lives of those around them. In attendance were honorees Aiden and Pearl, miniature therapy horses accepting the Equine Welfare Award, 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). The family of Eloise “Lulu” Peck accepted the Kid of the Year award posthumously in her honor.

This year, we selected across 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.

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 “smiles, comfort, connection and a little bit of magic” 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.

Missy and Tim Peck, parents to Eloise, accepted the ASPCA Kid of the Year honor on her behalf. In an extremely moving and powerful moment in the room, Missy called on attendees to remember Lulu’s legacy. “Please remember Lulu. Say her name. Remember her when you see a dog or a cat or a horse that needs a home. Remember her when you have the opportunity to be kind. Remember her when you can speak up for someone who doesn’t have a voice… That’s how her story continues.”

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.

While accepting the ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare Award, Craig shared with the audience that there’s not always a fairytale ending when it comes to whistleblowing. “We’ve all got to pull the wagon in the right direction. We’ve got to get rid of this factory farming. There is no place in society that's built on extraction and extortion.” 

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.

“Words can’t describe what Kelly means to me and how much I depend on Kelly to protect myself and perform the duties we do every day,” said Kyle. “So I’m thankful for the fate that brought Kelly and I together.”

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.

Christy Bormann, handler to Canyon, highlighted the importance of giving shelter animals a chance. “I’ll be forever grateful to the shelter staff who recognized that Canyon had something special. And it’s my hope that his story… has allowed people in other shelters and rescues to think about the dogs that are in their facilities who have the same desire and drive and spark that it takes to do this incredible job.”

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.

Speaking to the incredible bond between humans and dogs during his acceptance of the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, John Reller, the Director of Operations of C-RAD, expressed, “It's this human end of the leash that has gotten the most benefit and enjoyment out of this journey. Not only do the dogs provide a capability that human technology cannot reproduce, but they have a genuine compassion, never-ending forgiveness, and friendship and a love for the game we call work.” He continued, “Whether that means bringing someone home safely or providing closure to a situation that’s more often than not somebody’s worst day on earth, these guys have an impact on an individual, family and friends, other agencies, and at times, an entire community.”