Five remarkable dogs were selected as this year’s honorees in their respective categories from a pool of 600 impressive nominations. The five award categories include:

• Exemplary Companion: Dogs without formal training or certification that have nonetheless distinguished themselves in some way and have made a meaningful contribution to their owners or communities.
• Search and Rescue: Dogs certified to assist in wilderness and urban tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.
• Service: Service dogs who enrich the lives of physically or mentally disabled owners, including, but not limited to, guide dogs for the blind, seizure-alert dogs, hearing dogs,and  balance dogs.
• Therapy: Certified therapy dogs working in hospitals, schools, disaster sites, war zones, and wherever else the affection of a good dog can provide comfort.
• Uniformed Service K-9: Full-time working K-9s in city, county, state, or federal law enforcement; the military; firefighting; customs and border patrol; emergency services.

Winners of the 2024 Awards for Canine Excellence

Exemplary Companion

Kristen Wells

 

“Winston,” an All-American Dog owned by Jeff Wells of San Antonio, TX.

Winston was rescued by his owner, Jeff Wells, after being discovered living in a ditch after the ‘Great Texas Freeze’ in 2021. Wells is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2001-2009, including a tour in Baghdad, Iraq and struggled for years with the mental toll of intensive combat. Both Winston and Wells were struggling physically and mentally when they discovered the mark of agility. After regaining his strength, Winston demonstrated great athleticism and started participating in in the sport, ordering books on Agility and building obstacles in the backyard to practice. In 2022, Wells registered Winston as an All-American Dog and began participating in trials. Since then, Wells and Winston have been competing consistently in AKC Agility. The mental stimulation has provided healing for Wells and an unbreakable bond between Wells and Winston. In 2023, Winston earned his first MACH (Masters Agility Champion) and is on his way to his second MACH.

Search and Rescue Dog

Dale Thompson

 

“Besa,” a German Shepherd Dog owned by Sarah Gentry from West Salem, OH.

Besa the German Shepherd Dog has gone on to be a multipurpose , certified in human remains searches (both land and water) and live persons through area search and successful trailing. She has helped with university studies by working unmarked gravesites from the early 1900s. Besa is the first in the nation to test and receive USPCA certification in Human Scent/Human Trafficking. She has been featured in digital media and on local TV news for her accomplishments and a local talk show demonstrating her skills. Besa is nationally prepared through her certifications to assist as needed but continues to be an asset to her local community, making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Service Dog

Jill Dempsey

 

“Kissable Katie,” a Standard Poodle owned by Jill Dempsey from Palm Coast, FL.

Kissable Katie is a seeing-eye guide dog and for her owner, Jill Dempsey. Kissable Katie warns Dempsey before an epileptic seizure and helps ease her anxiety. Dempsey couldn’t leave the house for years, afraid that her blindness, anxiety and seizures would cause problems. That all changed with Kissable Katie. Dempsey is now a civilian Citizen Observer Patrol Dispatcher. She also participates in Western reenactments and gunfights, even taking first place in the 2017 Florida State Ladies Champion Cowboy Fast Draw competition with Kissable Katie by her side. They both volunteer to help with service dog groups for veterans and first responders who need service dogs. Kissable Katie has given Dempsey the confidence to live her life to the fullest.

Therapy Dog

Allison LaField

 

“Wallace,” an Old English Sheepdog owned by Joy LaField of San Antonio, TX.

Wallace is a licensed dg, working with many different organizations and in many situations. For the past two years, he has worked as a therapy dog at Brook Army Medical Center, working with active and retired military, hospital patients, and hospital staff who are undergoing procedures and tests. Wallace the practice at Alamo Heights Natatorium, working with the military veteran community and amputees at swim practice. He is also a seizure detection dog for his owner, Joy LaField, notably saving her life when a seizure caused her to fall into a pool. He was part of the therapy dog team deployed to comfort survivors of the Uvalde school shooting in 2023, where he worked in the command center housing several units including the police, the FBI, immigration, sheriff, military, fire, etc., going from trailer to trailer comforting those who were working around the clock in the aftermath of the tragedy. Wallace provided comfort to the members of the community.

Uniformed Services K-9 Dog

Lt. John Haning 

 

“Rosco,” a Labrador Retriever, handled by Lt. John Haning of Claremore, OK.

Rosco works on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and is on the Homeland Security Investigation Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force. Rosco, a , is trained to find electronic devices that are hidden. These hidden devices help save the lives of children who are being abused as well as involved in the sex trade, where even the smallest devices in a search warrant could make or break a case. Rosco was the first K9 in Oklahoma and serves the state and any agency that needs his help. He was the first Electronic Scent Detection (ESD) K9 from a local agency to help a law enforcement agency in South America.