Category Winners Announced for the Golden Paw Hero Dog Awards 2026 Sponsored by Agria

After receiving hundreds of truly heartwarming nominations from across the country, the Irish Kennel Club is thrilled to announce the seven category winners for the Golden Paw Hero Dog Awards 2026 kindly sponsored by Agria.

The awards aim to find and reward Ireland’s most courageous, brave and life changing canines in order to honour the love, companionship and service they give us on a day-to-day basis. The esteemed panel of judges now has the incredibly ‘ruff’ job of choosing an overall winner which will be announced at a glittering award ceremony at The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge on Saturday 21^st of February. The ceremony will be attended by a panel of judges, the canine winners themselves and their owners.

Category winners will receive a category trophy and a cash prize with the overall winner receiving the coveted overall trophy and an additional cash prize. A Special Honorary Award will also be presented to recognise a dog whose pioneering contributions have left a lasting legacy.

Commenting on the category winners, Fiona Charles, Country Manager at Agria Petinsure Ireland, said “Everyone at Agria is incredibly proud to sponsor the Golden Paw Hero Dog Awards alongside the Irish Kennel Club. The stories behind this year’s winners are nothing short of inspiring. From life-saving service dogs to loyal companions who change lives in quieter ways, these heroes remind us why dogs hold such a special place in our hearts and homes. At Agria, our mission is to support pets and the people who love them. Our team offers deep expertise, exceptional service and long-term commitment to pets and their people. We extend our warmest congratulations to all the category winners and finalists, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at what promises to be a very special awards ceremony in Newbridge.”

The Irish Kennel Club are incredibly grateful to Agria for their generous support and to everyone who shared their inspiring stories by nominating their remarkable dogs. The nominations are a testament to the deep connections between humans and their canine companions, and to the extraordinary ways these four-legged heroes touch our lives every day.

Press Note: Don’t Miss Red Carpet Moments with our Finalists!

Members of the press and photographers are warmly invited to attend the event from 11.30am on Saturday February 21st at The Keadeen Hotel, Co. Kildare, where the winners will be walking the red carpet and sharing their amazing stories.

Please email rosie@aeconsult.ie to confirm your attendance or for further information.

So, without further ado the Irish Kennel Club proudly present the category winners for the Golden Paw Hero Dog Awards 2026!

Alfie is a truly remarkable example of courage and resilience. After being knocked down in a serious accident, he tragically lost both of his eyes yet refused to let his injury define him. With determination and an extraordinary spirit, Alfie adapted to life without sight and now lives happily and independently on his owner’s farm, confidently navigating daily life and proving that disability does not limit ability. Adding to his unique story, Alfie is also a Gaeilgeoir dog who understands and responds to commands given entirely in Irish reflecting his intelligence and the special bond he shares with his owner. His ability to overcome trauma and embrace life with such trust and joy makes Alfie a shining inspiration and a very deserving recipient of the award.

Monty has been a life-changing source of comfort, loyalty and strength for his owner. Brought home almost four years ago, he quickly became far more than a pet, helping her overcome long-held fears and navigate an extremely difficult period in her life. When she struggled with depression and felt lost and alone, Monty gave her a reason to keep going providing unconditional love, daily companionship and the motivation to get out into the world again. His steady presence helped her rebuild confidence and purpose, even inspiring her to become involved in the dog show community, which brought new goals, routine and support. With his gentle nature and big heart, Monty has shown the true power of the human-dog bond.

Sam has had an exceptional career protecting our communities. Since joining Revenue’s Customs Service in 2018 he has worked across multiple locations including Dublin Port, Portlaoise Mail Centre, Dublin Mail Centre, Dublin Parcel Hub and even a temporary posting at Dublin Airport. Sam has been instrumental in over 1,000 drug detections, including more than 6kg of cocaine, with a combined street value of over €10 million, and has regularly supported other agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Defence Forces. Beyond his daily duties he has represented Revenue in public demonstrations, school visits and parades showcasing the vital role of detector dogs. Now approaching retirement, Sam leaves behind a remarkable legacy of dedication, skill and service making him a perfect candidate for the Law Enforcement Dog Award.

Oliver is a truly remarkable dog, dedicating his time every week to bringing comfort and joy to patients at Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, which is the largest provider of palliative care in Ireland serving a catchment area of over one million people from its three sites in Harold’s Cross, Blackrock and Wicklow. For over a year, Oliver has visited Harold’s Cross Hospice every Thursday evening offering cuddles, love and companionship to patients who are receiving palliative care. His gentle presence has helped lift the spirits of patients, making a real difference to their wellbeing. Recognised for his extraordinary contribution, Oliver was also named Pet Hero of the Year on the Late Late Show in 2025. His devotion and heart-warming impact resulted in the judges choosing him as winner of the Life Changing Dog Award.

Jackson has overcome an extraordinary start in life to become a shining example of resilience and determination. Found in May 2024 at the Carlow Kilkenny pound after a traumatic experience, Jackson was initially terrified and could not be touched for weeks. Through patience, training and love he has transformed into a confident and highly skilled dog, achieving 2nd place in Level 1 Rally-O obedience and 4th place in Level 2 within a year. Officially adopted from the Hairy Project rescue in December 2024, Jackson’s journey from a frightened, discarded puppy to a happy, accomplished companion is a remarkable testament to the power of care, perseverance and second chances.

Jessie is a truly pioneering dog whose work with SARDA Ireland has made a nationally significant contribution to lifesaving efforts. As Ireland’s first scent-specific trailing search and rescue dog and currently the only dog trained to NSARDA standard across Ireland, the UK and the Isle of Man, Jessie has set a new benchmark in search and rescue capability. Starting training at just five months old, she mastered the challenging task of following a missing person’s unique scent from personal belongings, and has since applied these skills in real operations, including successful rescues in Co. Galway. Her exceptional focus, determination and precision combined with her breed’s remarkable tracking instincts, make her an invaluable asset in both rural and urban searches. Jessie’s achievements, operational success and dedication to saving lives make her a truly deserving recipient of a Golden Paw Hero Dog Award.

Tori has been transforming the atmosphere at St. Luke’s Hospital since joining the oncology service in May 2025. As a certified therapy dog, she provides comfort, joy and connection to patients, families and staff, helping ease the emotional and physical challenges of treatment. Tori’s calm, empathetic nature brings moments of play for children and reduces anxiety and stress for adults, turning clinical spaces into places of warmth and care. Living with her devoted handlers, she accompanies them daily, sharing her gift of unconditional support. Tori exemplifies compassion and the healing power of connection through therapy animals.

And our very special Honorary Golden Paw Award for 2026 is Rocky

Rocky was a true pioneer in search and rescue work in Ireland, leaving a lasting legacy even after his sad passing in April 2025. As the first general-purpose search dog in Southern Ireland, he excelled in scent-specific trailing, cadaver work and human remains detection, and was also the region’s first man-trailing dog. Together with his handler, he helped establish search dog training and dog sports in Southern Ireland, opening opportunities for countless dogs and handlers. Rocky’s dedication and trailblazing achievements touched many lives, both human and canine, and his impact continues today through Wexford K9 Search and Rescue making him a true hero and a very fitting recipient of the Special Honorary Golden Paw Award.

For further information please contact Aileen Eglington & Rosie O’Toole, AE Consulting on behalf of The Irish Kennel Club.

E:aileen.eglington@aeconsult.ie / rosie@aeconsult.ie

T:01 2948080

M:087 2505007

Note to Editors:

About Agria Petinsure Ireland

Agria is one of the world’s leading pet insurers, having been established in Sweden in 1890. Agria arrived in Ireland through the acquisition of Petinsure in 2023 and is now a prominent feature of the Irish pet insurance industry, providing insurance for cats, dogs and horses. Our mission is to provide the best care for pets and peace of mind for their owners by providing insurance solutions and complementary services.