Canyon, a Mississippi stray turned search-and-rescue dog, has been named the 2026 ASPCA Dog of the Year for his heroic work at major disasters.

Rescued in 2021 and brought to the Hancock County Animal Shelter, Canyon was placed with Category 5 K9 after a handler spotted his drive. He earned certifications from FEMA and the International Police Work Dog Association in 2023, People reported.

Canyon deployed to the Maui wildfires and Hurricane Helene. During the 2025 Texas floods, he spent more than 90 days searching along the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic. He has also helped in missing-persons and homicide investigations.

“Canyon’s amazing sense of smell allows him to locate people we can’t see,” his handler Bormann said. “He brings hope to people during times of tragedy.”

Canyon will be honoured at the ASPCA Humane Awards ceremony at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on October 8. Bormann plans to work with him for about two more years before retirement, when he will “spend all of his time monopolizing the couch.”