Canine Impact Award Categories 

1. Lifetime Achievement Award Handed out last as most distinguished award given. CIA’s Most Prestigious Award

Honoring a lifelong commitment to advancing canine welfare.

Recognizes an individual whose decades of work have transformed lives—through innovation, advocacy, or leadership that continues to shape the future of the canine world.

2. Veterinary Excellence Award

For outstanding leadership in veterinary medicine and animal care.
Presented to a veterinarian whose compassionate expertise, ethical standards, and advocacy have improved the health and well-being of dogs and strengthened human-canine bond.

3. Veterinary Support Professional Award

Celebrating the indispensable role of veterinary technicians and support staff.
Recognizes a vet tech or support professional whose dedication, skill, and compassion make an extraordinary extraordinary difference in patient care and rescue outcomes.

4. Trainer of the Year

Honoring a professional trainer who exemplifies humane, effective, and science-based training.
This award recognizes innovation in behavior and training that strengthens relationships and promotes behavior that reduces shelter intake.

5. Rescue Organization of the Year

Recognizing exceptional dedication to saving and transforming lives.
Awarded to a rescue or shelter demonstrating exemplary commitment to rehabilitation, responsible placement, and collaboration within the animal welfare community.

6. Rescue Advocate Award

For an individual who stands out as a voice for rescue dogs.
Celebrates someone whose outreach, education, or direct action has raised awareness of importance of rescue, adoption, and long-term support for dogs in need.

7. Volunteer of the Year

Recognizing outstanding service and selflessness.

Honors an individual whose volunteer efforts have had a measurable impact on canine welfare, demonstrating compassion, consistency, and community spirit. Perhaps add "Lifetime" to the title?

8. Breeder Accountability Award

Celebrating responsible breeding practices that prioritize health, temperament, and lifelong care.

Presented to a breeder who exemplifies transparency, conscientious standards, and ongoing support for every dog they raise.

9. Canine Collaboration Award

For partnerships that create second chances.

Honors a business working hand-in-hand with rescues or shelters to rehabilitate and rehome dogs, proving what’s possible through cooperation.

10. Canine Advocate Award

Recognizing advocacy that moves the needle for dogs everywhere.

Awarded to an individual whose work in legislation, education, or awareness drives meaningful change for canine welfare. “moves the needle” → more formal phrasing could be “drives meaningful change”

11. Philanthropic Impact Award

For generosity that drives real-world change.

Celebrates a donor, sponsor, or foundation that has provided significant financial or resource support to canine welfare initiatives that impact communities.

12. Community Leadership Award

Honoring those who elevate their local community through canine outreach.

Recognizes an individual, group, or initiative that has built bridges between people and pets—strengthening neighborhoods through education, engagement, and compassion.

13. Groomer of the Year

Celebrating excellence in grooming and compassionate care.
Presented to a professional groomer who goes above and beyond to ensure comfort, health, and confidence for the dogs they serve and contributes to overall canine welfare.

14. Pet Retail Partner Award

Recognizing businesses that prioritize ethical sourcing and canine well-being.
Honors a pet store or retailer demonstrating integrity, community involvement, and support for rescue and education efforts advancing canine health and wellness.

15. Innovation in Canine Health & Wellness Award

For those shaping the future of canine care.
Presented to a company, researcher, or individual driving innovation in nutrition, genetics, or wellness to improve the lives of dogs.

16. Youth in Action Award

Celebrating the next generation of canine advocates.
Recognizes a young person under 25 whose passion and initiative have made a meaningful contribution to dogs and their communities.

17. Animal Control or Law Enforcement Partnership Award

For commitment to compassion and collaboration in the field.
Honors an Animal Control officer or law enforcement professional demonstrating leadership, empathy, and effectiveness in community-based animal welfare work. “demonstrating leadership, empathy, and effectiveness” → “showing leadership and compassion” for cleaner phrasing.

18. Media & Education Impact Award

Recognizing storytelling that changes hearts and minds.
Presented to a journalist, filmmaker, author or educator whose work has raised public awareness and inspired positive change for dogs.

19. Hero Dog Award

Honoring a canine whose courage or service has made a remarkable impact.

Celebrates a dog that has demonstrated bravery, loyalty, or life-changing service to humans or other animals.

20. Legacy of Compassion Award

For those whose influence endures beyond their lifetime.

Awarded posthumously or in honor of a program or person whose lasting impact continues to improve the welfare of dogs and their communities.

21. Canine Educator Award

For those who elevate understanding through education.

Honors trainers, teachers, and community leaders who empower the public with knowledge about responsible pet ownership, canine behavior, safety, and welfare—creating informed communities that protect and support dogs.

22. Dog Sanctuary Award

For providing safe havens and second chances.

Recognizes sanctuaries, long-term care facilities, or hospice programs that offer lifetime support to dogs who cannot be adopted. This award celebrates organizations that provide compassion, stability, and specialized care to dogs with the greatest needs.

23. Unsung Hero Award

For extraordinary impact behind the scenes.

Celebrates transporters, foster coordinators, behind-the-scenes volunteers, and everyday helpers whose quiet dedication keeps rescue work moving forward. These individuals rarely seek recognition, yet their contributions are essential to saving lives.

24. People’s Choice Award

For the nominee who captures the heart of the community.

A special award where the public votes for their favorite nominee—whether an individual, dog, business, or program. This award invites community participation and highlights the nominee whose story or impact resonates most widely.

Canine Impact Awards

Evaluation Criteria

Each nomination will be reviewed by the Canine Impact Awards Selection Committee using a consistent, values-based framework Rubric. Finalists and winners are selected based on their demonstrated impact, integrity, innovation, and inspiration within the canine community.

Impact 40%

The measurable or demonstrated difference the nominee’s work has made for dogs, their owners, or the broader community. Examples: number of animals helped, new programs established, improved welfare outcomes, public education efforts.

Integrity 25%

Adherence to conscientious standards, transparency, and responsibility in their actions or business practices. Demonstrates honesty, accountability, and respect for both people and animals AND SACRIFICE? EMPATHY? COMPASSION?

Innovation 20%

Introduction of new ideas, methods, collaborations, or practices that advance the canine world. Shows creativity or leadership that others can model.

Inspiration 15%

The extent to which the nominee motivates or uplifts others through their example, outreach, compassion, or advocacy.

• Winners are announced live at the Canine Impact Gala & Awards Ceremony on September 2026, at the Starline Factory in Harvard, Illinois. Streaming as well - Paywall? CD creation and purchase options.

• Finalists and winners will be featured on the CII website and social media following the event. Stream live behind paywall?

Official Rules & Eligibility

Eligibility

• Nominees must be individuals, organizations, or businesses working within the canine community (including rescue, veterinary, training, grooming, breeding, education, or advocacy).

• Nominees may be based anywhere in the U.S., but must demonstrate a direct or measurable impact on dogs or communities within the United States. Worried about this, as it includes numerous notable people within the industry that we do not have access to. While I prefer not to suggest, McHenry County, we should decide how to phrase this.

• Previous winners are eligible for nomination in future years, but not for the same category two years in a row.

• Committee members are eligible for nomination only if they recuse themselves from all related discussions and votes.

Nominations

• Each nomination must include:

• Nominee name and contact information

• Nominator name and contact information

• Selected award category

• Written statement (250–500 words) describing the nominee’s contributions and impact. Have to be careful with this as many people may choose to opt out due to the added demands of simply nominating someone. Rephrase, to say paragrapgh, or???

• Optional supporting materials (photos, videos, testimonials, links, or documentation) This is good, as it can be used in our material.

Selection Integrity

• All decisions by the Selection Committee are final.

• The committee reserves the right to move nominations into a more appropriate category if needed.

• In the event of a tie, co-recipients may be named.

• Committee members with conflicts of interest must recuse themselves from reviewing or voting in affected categories.

• Conflicts include: direct employment, personal relationships, mentorship, or financial partnerships with a nominee.

Award Recognition

• Each winner will receive:

• A personalized Canine Impact Award plaque. Discuss what other award or recognition can be given for those "distinguished" categories.

• Recognition in event programs, press releases, and CES publications

• Invitation to present or participate in a panel at the 2027 Canine Expo & Symposium Booth as well?