Hospital and Kaiser Permanente, including those in radiation, oncology, and urgent care. Dayo is truly a beacon of joy and embodies the spirit of an American Hero Dog. Service and Guide/Hearing Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They can be trained to work with people with physical mobility needs or limitations, or who need alerts to medical conditions. They can also serve as the “eyes and ears” for the blind and/or deaf, or perform tasks for those with psychiatric disabilities, such as PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury. These specially trained dogs can even help by retrieving or manipulating objects that are out of their person’s
profound impact on both their lives. After a devastating accident in 2006 that left his handler with 23 broken bones and a traumatic brain injury, it seemed like life would never be the same. But with Sampson’s unwavering support, recovery became possible. His handler not only healed but also earned a degree in neuroscience and founded a company that helps people with disabilities overcome barriers in science. Known as the Science Service Dog, Sampson gained global fame, amassing over 72K followers across social media. Beloved for his infectious “Best Day Ever!” attitude, Sampson and his handler have traveled extensively, advocating for service dog handlers in science. Their work even reached Congress, where they are pushing to amend CDC guidelines to remove barriers for service dog handlers. Sampson’s legacy is one of changing and saving lives, one pawprint at a time.
Dayo
Therapy Credentialed Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Dogs are part of a therapeutic plan to aid with physical, social, emotional, and cognitive challenges for persons other than the dog’s owner/ handler. AAT has been shown to help enhance the lives of people in need. Studies have found that AAT lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and enhances a patient’s ability to achieve physical and psychological wellness. This category’s winner is: Dayo Dayo is a lovable 9-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. Dayo is a regular at the George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, CA—the first freestanding pediatric palliative care center in the U.S. His presence brings smiles and comfort to patients, families, nurses, and staff alike. Dayo also lends his support at Camp Erin, a bereavement camp where he helps children cope with loss and extends friendship to adults with disabilities at Futures Explored and Go Group. Children eagerly read to him during the Pleasanton Library’s Paws to Read program, and during the school year, he helps high school students manage exam stress. His visits brighten the days of patients at Lucile Packard Children’s
reach, alerting bystanders and retrieving help for their handler,
leading while avoiding distractions and obstacles, and performing many other individual tasks as needed by a person with a disability. These heroes not only improve the lives of the people with whom they work, but also keep
Article gathered from https://www. pawrade.com/resource/tips-trends/ hero-dogs-of-2025
them safe every day. Commonly, service dogs are Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, and Collies, among others. This category’s winner is: Sampson Arizona’s Sampson, the Science Service Dog, Becomes Sampson the Hero Dog Winner - The Tucson Dog Sampson dedicated nine incredible years to supporting his handler, making a
Sampson
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 19
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