The 2025 Dakin Humane Award Winners

On Thursday, November 13 at 6pm, the atrium at Dakin Humane Society was transformed into a chic gathering spot, complete with atmospheric lighting, to honor six people, one company and a guide dog with a Dakin Humane Award.

We present the Humane Awards to recognize incredible people in our local community who make a meaningful impact for both animals and the people who love them through their hard work and dedication. These people, of all ages and walks of life, contribute to the health and welfare of animals in many ways, and we talk great pleasure in honoring them. Each award recipient shares Dakin's belief that the way we treat animals reflects the health of our community.

Approximately 75 guests, mostly comprised of Dakin staff, volunteers, board members, honorees and family members and friends of Dakin were on hand to enjoy the evening and raise a toast to the award winners.

Dakin’s Executive Director Meg Talbert, joined by Community Engagement Manager Kaitlyn Holloway, co-hosted the event. Several Dakin staff members, joined by Vice President of the Dakin Board of Directors Rachel Slosek-Couture, bestowed awards on the following recipients:

Katelin Welles – The Richard & Nathalie Woodbury Philanthropy Humane Award. This award is bestowed to a leader (or leaders) in the community whose contributions are transformational and demonstrate extraordinary dedication. These individuals display a remarkable sense of stewardship in sharing time, talent and resources to improve the lives of animals and people who love them. Katelin Welles is a Navy veteran and a former addiction counselor who currently volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator. She is especially dedicated to caring for neonatal kittens, and recently completed a surrender counseling workshop to help families keep their beloved pets whenever possible. Her generosity has enabled Dakin to enhance its Kitten ICU, provide winter shelters for feral cats, restock much-needed supplies, and provide a number of services for animals in need.

Trystan Candelario – The Youth Humane Award. This award honors a hero, 16 or younger, who displays extraordinary care and compassion to make a difference in the lives of animals, and makes the world a kinder and gentler place. This year’s recipient, Trystan Candelario, began helping animals at age seven. In 2023, at the age of 10, he rescued two vulnerable and hungry puppies while visiting Puerto Rico, brought them back to his Massachusetts home, and helped them find families to care for them. Trystan has built feral cat outdoor shelters to help cats stay warm in the winter, fundraised for animal causes, and helped rescue animals both locally and far away. He has also returned to Puerto Rico after natural disasters to help feed animals left without homes, and sets a remarkable example of how compassion, dedication and love for animals can make a difference.

Dr. Lauren Atkins – The Frances M. Wells Humane Award. This award, named for the Greenfield Animal Shelter’s benefactor, is given to an individual recognized for notable contributions to the health and welfare of animals. After launching her career in animal welfare 28 years ago in South Carolina, Dr. Lauren Atkins later became the first veterinarian hired when Dakin moved into its Springfield location. She also worked at Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, continuing to improve shelter medicine and the quality of animal care. Dr. Atkins’ most compassionate chapter began when she founded Paws Finding Peace, a practice dedicated to at-home euthanasia that allows families to say goodbye to beloved pets with dignity and love. She chose this practice because it provides a peaceful transition for the pet, especially those with behavioral issues, and allows the grieving family to be together to provide comfort to the animal in their final moments.

Melissa Dawn Vancini - The Champion Humane Award. This award honors an individual who serves in the public or non-profit sector who has faithfully made life better for tens of thousands of animals and people. Melissa Dawn Vancini is founder of Missing Mutts Search & Rescue, a volunteer-based, non-profit group that helps reunite lost pets with their owners through free search and rescue services. The group is the culmination of a decade spent as a foster caregiver for dogs, many of whom were scared and a flight risk. Through patience and care, Melissa learned how to work with and understand these dogs. This led to her opening her own dog recovery group, which became Missing Mutts Search & Rescue. Since then, her work has made an incredible impact on countless animals and the people who love them.

Bernie (Guide Dog) & Attorney David Roulston – The Distinguished Animal Humane Award. This award recognizes an exceptional animal (and human handler) whose extraordinary devotion to people has proved transformative or lifesaving in challenging or exceptional circumstances. Few partnerships embody the human-animal bond more beautifully than Attorney David Roulston and his guide dog, Bernie. Attorney Roulston has spent his life in service to others, and his work has been guided by integrity and compassion. For the past 45 years as an attorney, he has defended people navigating addiction, mental health struggles, and the legal system, while living with an incurable eye condition he's had for nearly half that time. Beside him every step of the way have been his guide dogs, including his companion of 10 years, Bernie. Attorney Roulston and Bernie were honored for demonstrating how the human-animal bond can transform lives with service and grace.

Berkshire Bank – Corporate Leadership Humane Award. The Corporate Leadership award is presented to a business or its corporate foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment to improve the lives of animals through employee giving, volunteerism or partnership. Berkshire Bank, a division of Beacon Bank & Trust, exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. As a trusted advisor its clients rely upon, Berkshire Bank is committed to helping those in its communities live their best lives and reach their full financial potential. In addition to giving back to the communities it serves through grants, sponsorships and campaigns, Berkshire’s employees tirelessly support Dakin’s work in a variety of ways, including serving on its Board of Directors, volunteering at Dakin’s Will Run for Cookies 5k, and even holding a “kitten shower” to collect donations from local financial center personnel and standing in as Mrs.Claus for the pet pictures with Santa.

Charlotte Cathro - Janet Wilder Dakin Lifetime Achievement Humane Award. This award is bestowed to a person whose life’s work has exhibited exemplary leadership, selfless commitment, passion, and extraordinary dedication to advancing animal welfare. This year’s recipient is Charlotte Cathro, whose journey with animals began long before she served on Dakin’s Board of Directors. From her early love for animals to the school trip that inspired her lifelong commitment to their wellbeing, Charlotte has dedicated herself to rescuing, fostering, and caring for animals. After moving to western Massachusetts in 2011, she joined Dakin’s Board of Directors, serving as treasurer, finance chair, and ultimately president. She helped build the organization’s strong financial foundation while juggling her own business, teaching, and family life. A steady, thoughtful leader and devoted foster caregiver, Charlotte believes the joy animals bring is meant to be shared. This award recognizes her quiet, consistent, and transformational service.

Following the award presentations, guests chatted in the atrium and were photographed on our red carpet. Some opted for tours of the building to see the Adoption Center, Pet Health Center, Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, Kitten ICU and other departments. Dakin pup Chloe mingled with attendees, searching for a possible – and perfect - new family (and she was adopted that night!) We’re already accepting nominations for our 2026 Humane Awards, and you can submit yours here.

Check out our photos from this event. Were you there?  

Big thanks to our event sponsors, VCA Animal Hospital and Cebula Electronics.