Senator James Welch was the main sponsor of legislation to allocate $100,000 to the Mass Animal Fund via a budget amendment to pay for the spay/neuter and vaccinations of animals in animal control facilities or who live with families who can’t afford the services.

Allison was commended for her work as an animal control officer for the Town of Agawam as well as a veterinary technician. She is known for her compassion in the toughest of circumstances and for being a source of guidance for the proper care and treatment of animals.

As a mental health clinician at the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, Stephanie was involved in the creation of the Emotional Support Division, which paired therapy dogs in training with staff members. Stephanie and her therapy dog partner Molly were honored for making way for change in corrections across the state.

Kim George, founder of Kane's Krusade, was recognized for her hard work and dedication to her community. For more than 10 years, Kane's Krusade has bridged the gap between pet families in need and solutions. They connect people with resources, advocate for better outcomes like helping find pet-inclusive housing, and keep pets together with their families.

Jessecah was recognized for going above and beyond her role as Animal Control Officer and Animal Health Inspector for the Town of West Springfield. She began her career in animal welfare as a volunteer at Thomas J. O’Connor, where she was then hired as their Volunteer Coordinator. Jesse doesn’t just support her town, but the humane community as a whole.

Dr. Rachel Geller is founder and president of a non-profit organization named All Cats All the Time which helps provide financial assistance for veterinary costs, prescription food, and other necessities, all in her continuing goal to keep cats with their families. In her ongoing mission to keep cats with their families, Dr. Geller authored the Surrender Prevention Specialist certification. To date, over fifteen hundred people have been certified through this groundbreaking course. Her generosity also extends to donating 100% of proceeds to shelters from her book “Saving the World One Cat at a Time: What I Know About Cats and Why You Should Know it Too.”

VCA is a network of hometown veterinary hospitals that were honored for their support of animal sheltering. VCA Animal Hospitals are heavily involved with their local humane societies, including Dakin, to promote adoption through their presence on social media. They have also held numerous food and supply donation drives to help feed animals in need.

94.7fm WMAS is being recognized for helping animals find homes through their highly-rated morning show, The Kellogg Krew. During the show they promote adoptable pets by sharing each animal’s special story while they await a new home. WMAS also recognizes the crucial need for food and other essential supplies at Dakin, often encouraging their listeners to contribute to help vulnerable animals. 94.7fm WMAS has consistently stepped up as a media partner for Dakin events, offering a generous schedule of public service announcements, on-air mentions, and onsite emcee duties. Accepting the award on behalf of the station were Chris Kellogg and Dina McMahon of The Kellogg Krew.

Officer Joel Wun and his 6-year-old male German Shepherd partner, K9 Xito worked together to keep the Ludlow jail safe for inmates, staff, and visitors. They also volunteer together in the community by participating in demonstrations for the Boys & Girls Club and other local causes.

K9 Officer Frankie and his partner Officer Eric Blair were honored for their work in many seizures of illegal firearms and drugs with the Springfield Police Department. They have also participated in the search and rescue of lost children and elderly citizens.

Sergeant David Stucenski started working with K9 Frankie when he was only 15 months old. Over the many years they worked together K9 Frankie and Officer Stucenski had a strong reputation for their work with the Massachusetts State Police. Tragically this year, K-9 Frankie, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, became the first ever K9 killed in the line of duty after he was gunned down by a fugitive who had barricaded himself inside a house in a stand-off with police. K9 Frankie showed incredible loyalty and dedication, giving his life in the line of duty to keep his community safe.

The team of K9 Dex and Officer David Olszak, his handler, received this award based on their 9-year partnership and combined effort to help prevent crime and serve the public. Officer Olszak began his K9 career in 2006 as a United States Marine at the Military Working Dog school in San Antonio, Texas. He was deployed to Iraq, where he and his K9 partner tracked insurgents and located kidnapped Army soldiers. His work took him to the Washington, D.C. area, where he worked with explosive and narcotic K9s, before he joined the Springfield Police Department and partnered with K9 Dex, who also had a highly successful career. One notable incident involved K9 Dex tracking an individual wanted for armed home invasion through incredibly challenging terrain to the Chicopee River. It was K9 Dex’s alert that led to the capture of the suspect, who was armed and intended to use the weapon on officers. Following his recent retirement, K9 Dex is living out his golden days with Officer Olszak, his fiancé and children at home.

Anna was honored for going to exceptional lengths to humanely trap cats living in outdoor colonies as part of Dakin's volunteer-run Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program, the Kitten Street Team. Her persistence and tireless efforts in the face of extreme weather, difficult terrain, and hard-to-catch feral cats have been an inspiration to many.

Robin was recognized for founding Whip City Animal Sanctuary with her husband, Kerry. Whip City is a sanctuary for farm animals located in Westfield. The sanctuary offers a safe place for farm animals that come from abusive situations and kill pen auctions.

Marina was recognized for being a true champion for animals across the world. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Marina started working with various shelters in Dnipro, Ukraine, her birthplace and home to many family members, to compile a list of their needs. She also set up a nonprofit, Help Animals Survive the War in Ukraine, which raised nearly $55,000, for several shelters in the Dnipro region and has assisted shelters in procuring grant funding.

As an assistant district attorney in Massachusetts for 13 years, Erin Aiello has worked across different district offices to serve urban, suburban and rural communities. Wherever she has found herself, her caseload has always involved the prosecution of abuse-related crimes - including animal cruelty cases. In 2023 Ms. Aiello helped start the Animal Protection Task Force through the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office for Hampshire and Franklin Counties. This task force is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of sworn law enforcement officers, deputy sheriffs, probation officers, prosecutors, shelters, animal control officers, and other related agencies. Ms. Aiello also works as a law enforcement trainer with the Humane Society of the United States, traveling across the country to educate prosecutors, animal welfare officers, and law enforcement on the crucial connection between animal cruelty and family violence.

Mary was an avid dog lover and supported a variety of animal causes statewide. It was her commitment to support her local brick and mortar animal shelter that she was most passionate about. She believed in the importance of having an accessible facility within the community and believed in the invaluable service that comes with it and a place for animals to go in their time of need.

Mary Lou was honored for selflessly sharing her time and talent volunteering for Dakin for over six years, logging more than 2,000 hours. She has taken on several roles to help the organization, including being a mentor trainer for new volunteers learning how to care for dogs.

Jerry was honored for his extraordinary dedication as a volunteer and foster caregiver at Dakin for over 13 years. His focus has been on felines, from adult cats struggling with fear to orphaned neonatal kittens. His round-the-clock care includes hand-feeding and administering medications. In his time with Dakin, Jerry has fostered over 650 animals.

The Gambaros have been longstanding supporters of - and volunteers at - Dakin Humane Society, and often volunteer at events. Jim has contributed his time and skills as a photographer, while Marianne has become an invaluable presence as part of the KICU Critical Care Crew, and as a member of the Cat Positive Pro enrichment team that works with shelter cats. In addition, their generosity has enabled Dakin to provide a number of services for animals in need, and the people who love them.

Lillian received a Youth Award for their dedicated work in foster care, helping five litters and 17 kittens. They donated their time to care for and nurture the kittens until each kitten was strong and healthy enough to find adoptive homes.

15-year-old Marley was honored for showing extraordinary dedication to the well-being of animals as a member of the youth executive board at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. In her spare time, she writes testimony to lawmakers on bills to protect exotic animals.

A group of young students were honored for their impressive effort to help animals during their hands-on “Good Citizen” project-based learning experience. The first-graders chose to help animals by collecting supplies, sharing lessons over the school announcements, and learning how to care for pets.

This year’s recipient was Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts, which was recognized for its emphasis on the importance of community involvement and collaboration to make a difference. Over the last several years, Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts has seen many groups select a project that directly supports animals - especially the most vulnerable animals at shelters. Alison Berman of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Judy Smith was with Dakin from its roots as Friends of Amherst’s Stray Animals in the 1980’s. She worked alongside Janet Wilder Dakin to improve the lives of homeless animals in the northern counties of Western Massachusetts. Judy’s retirement from the board in 2011 marked the end of a long volunteer career that helped position Dakin as the pre-eminent animal charity in the Pioneer Valley.

Carmine Dicenso was honored for dedicating nearly 24 years of his life and professional career to the betterment of animals. His career began at the MSPCA and he continued as Executive Director at Providence Animal Rescue League and Dakin Humane Society. He served on numerous boards, including The New England Federation of Humane Societies as a member, officer, and advisor. He acted as a representative of our community on a national level as a board member of the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement, to which he brought the most progressive animal welfare practices.