ASPCA Honors Therapy Horses and Animal Advocates at Annual Luncheon

On October 8, 2026, the ASPCA will host its annual Humane Awards luncheon at The Plaza Hotel in New York City to honor individuals and animals that have made significant contributions to animal welfare. This year, the awards will recognize six exceptional honorees, each of whom has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and compassion in their work.

At the heart of this year’s event are miniature therapy horses Aiden and Pearl. For over a decade, these two equines have been providing comfort and joy to thousands of individuals with special needs through equine-assisted services. Operating under the nonprofit HorseAbility, Aiden and Pearl travel to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers, offering therapeutic interactions that help those facing physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges.

Eloise “Lulu” Peck, affectionately known as the Kid of the Year, will also be honored. At just 8 years old, Lulu’s love for animals and her compassionate nature touched everyone around her. Her family established the Living for Lulu Foundation to continue her mission of inspiring kindness and caring for animals in need, following her untimely passing in the 2025 floods near Camp Mystic.

Craig Watts, a leading advocate for farm animal welfare, will receive the ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare Award. As a former contract chicken grower for Perdue, Craig co-founded the Contract Grower Transition Program with Compassion in World Farming USA, leading to national coverage in The New York Times. Today, he works with the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, helping farmers transition to more humane and sustainable practices.

Detective Kyle McLaughlin, a 13-year NYPD veteran, will be recognized with the Public Service Award. Together with his horse partner Kelly, McLaughlin provides a visible and approachable presence at public events and patrols, and their partnership recently garnered national attention for their successful pursuit of a suspect in Manhattan. Off duty, McLaughlin’s commitment to public safety and compassion for animals is evident in his family and pets.

This year’s Dog of the Year, Canyon, will be celebrated. Rescued as a Mississippi stray and later trained for search-and-rescue work, Canyon has deployed to major disasters, including the Maui wildfires and Hurricane Helene. His deployments have been crucial in missing persons and homicide investigations, bringing closure to families in their most difficult times.

Finally, the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD) will receive the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award. Since its founding in the early 1990s, C-RAD has trained and supported avalanche dog teams, setting standards for alpine search-and-rescue operations. The organization’s success underscores the remarkable bond between humans and animals and the lifesaving capabilities of highly trained dogs.