Last month, we celebrated and honored exceptional people, organizations and animals who have showed continued dedication and commitment to the improvement of animal welfare at our annual Humane Awards Luncheon.

One formerly homeless cat was among those honored this year with the ASPCA Cat of the Year Award. D-O-G (pronounced dee-OH-gee) is a fearless, live-in cat at Duo, an organization that trains service dogs in St. Louis, Missouri. This cat’s job is to provide unique behavioral training for dogs who are in a two-year program where they will learn to either assist people with mobility and hearing impairments or to provide emotional support to children and adults as they navigate the legal system.

Peggy Musen, Interim Executive Director, Duo, and Nadine Wenig, Director of Canine Services, Duo, posing with D-O-G and their award.

D-O-G helps these dogs become comfortable around other animals, including cats, and avoid distractions as they focus on their work. D-O-G’s presence has proven to have a positive impact on Duo’s dogs, and he is now considered instrumental in helping service dogs get the training they need to support people all over the country and in Europe.

Peggy accepting award alongside D-O-G and Nadine.

For his dogged dedication to helping other animals become effective and comfortable support animals, D-O-G is more than deserving of the ASPCA Cat of the Year Award. A huge congratulations to D-O-G!

ASPCA President and CEO, Matt Bershadker, poses with the 2018 HAL award winners.