Rescued from a kill pen while pregnant and malnourished, Josie, a miniature therapy donkey who brings comfort to people across the Valley, is pictured with Terry Holmes-Stecyk, John Holmberg and Ian Schwartz at the 23rd Annual HERO Awards (submitted photo).
The Arizona Pet Project (AZPP) hosted its 23rd Annual HERO Awards in March at the Arizona Biltmore, bringing together more than 500 Valley leaders, advocates and animal lovers for an evening celebrating the powerful bond between people and pets.
The annual fundraiser honors extraordinary animals, individuals, and community partners who demonstrate resilience, courage and compassion – raised $370,000 to support AZPP’s mission of keeping pets with the people who love them during times of hardship and crisis.
“This event is about more than celebration – it’s about recognizing how deeply intertwined people and pets are, especially in moments of crisis,” said Leanna Taylor, CEO of AZPP. “Each honoree represents why our work matters and why pet-inclusive solutions are so important in Arizona.”
The 2026 HERO award recipients include Animal HERO, Lola: After her owner suffered a life-threatening medical emergency, Lola persistently nudged her awake and ultimately retrieved her phone, allowing her to call 911. Service to the Community, Piper: A highly trained bloodhound with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Piper located a missing five-year-old autistic child in the Arizona desert after hours of searching, bringing him safely home. Animal Survivor, Josie: Rescued from a Texas kill pen while pregnant and malnourished, Josie the miniature therapy donkey now brings comfort and joy to children, seniors, veterans, and hospice patients across the Valley. Loyal Companion, Rocky: Though untrained, Rocky instinctively alerted his family when his owner’s elderly mother experienced a severe diabetic crisis, helping save her life and becoming her constant guardian. Team’s Choice, U.S.VETS Phoenix: Recognized for its commitment to serving veterans experiencing homelessness while ensuring they can remain with their pets, removing one of the most significant barriers to shelter access.
For more information on the event, visit www.azpetproject.org/hero.
