VFHS AWARDS
Every year, the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies recognizes individuals, organizations, professionals, and animals whose dedication has made a lasting impact on animal welfare across the Commonwealth.
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Our annual awards celebrate innovation, compassion, collaboration, and leadership while recognizing the many ways people work every day to improve the lives of animals and the communities they serve. Award recipients are honored during the Awards Gala at the VFHS Annual Conference.
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Whether they're leading transformative programs, providing exceptional veterinary care, strengthening the human-animal bond, or quietly making a difference behind the scenes, these individuals and organizations represent the very best of Virginia's animal welfare community.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION
Know someone making an extraordinary difference for animals?
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Nominations for the 2027 VFHS Awards are now open. We encourage members of the animal welfare community to recognize colleagues, organizations, partners, and animals whose work deserves to be celebrated.
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Nomination Deadline: February 10, 2027
AWARD CATEGORIES
Bravo Award
Named in honor of longtime VFHS President Elizabeth Sills, the Bravo Award recognizes an individual whose dedication, leadership, and service have made a significant impact within an animal welfare organization and who exemplifies the values of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies.
Humane Organization of the Year
Presented to an animal welfare organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to lifesaving. Recipients are recognized for achieving exceptional outcomes while serving as a model for progressive sheltering practices, community engagement, and organizational excellence.
Field Officer of the Year
This award recognizes an Animal Control Officer or field services professional whose compassion, professionalism, and leadership have strengthened both animal welfare and public safety. Recipients demonstrate excellence in community engagement, collaboration, reunification efforts, and advancing progressive animal services.
Griggs Greatest Lifesaving Advancement Award
Named in honor of former VFHS President Debra Griggs, this award recognizes extraordinary progress in increasing lifesaving for shelter animals. It honors organizations whose innovation, collaboration, or programming has significantly improved outcomes for animals and helped advance lifesaving throughout Virginia.
Veterinary Partnership Award
This award recognizes a veterinarian whose dedication and partnership have made a meaningful difference for an animal welfare organization. Whether working within a shelter or generously donating expertise to rescues and community organizations, recipients exemplify the critical role veterinary professionals play in advancing lifesaving.
Companion Award
The Companion Award honors an animal whose story celebrates the extraordinary bond between people and animals. Recipients may have saved or improved human lives, inspired their communities, or demonstrated remarkable resilience, forgiveness, and devotion despite experiencing hardship.
President's Award
Presented at the discretion of the VFHS President, this award recognizes an individual or organization whose exceptional service, leadership, or dedication has made a profound impact on animal welfare in Virginia. It honors those whose contributions extend beyond expectations and whose work has strengthened both the Federation and the broader animal welfare community.
The following individuals and organizations were honored at the 2026 Virginia Federation of Humane Societies Annual Conference for their exceptional contributions to animal welfare across the Commonwealth:
BRAVO AWARD:
DAKOTA CASSELL
Dakota Cassell was honored for her extraordinary leadership and resilience as Shelter Manager of the Henry County Animal Shelter. Whether responding to large-scale hoarding cases, overcoming limited resources, or finding creative solutions during emergencies, Dakota has consistently placed lifesaving at the center of every decision. Her compassion, determination, and willingness to go above and beyond have created countless new opportunities for animals who otherwise would have had none.
