NAIA applauds people who provide positive examples in working with animals and supporting human-animal interactions. If you know a hero, winner, or success story, please send details and contact information to heroes@naiaonline.org

Winning at Westminster: Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim makes it a family tradition. Styles change over time, but the dream of winning a small brass medallion engraved with the words, "Best of Breed, Westminster Kennel Club" remains constant.

Rufus: Good Things Given Rightly: Rufus is not only a top winning Bull Terrier show dog, but with his owners, the Bishops, he has become a foremost ambassador for all bully breeds.

A Fancier for Life: Meet Lorraine Still: NAIA is honored to work with some of the most dedicated animal welfare advocates anywhere. Lorraine Still exemplifies the many purebred dog enthusiasts who spend lifetimes working for the betterment of their beloved breeds and for dogs generally, all for the opportunity of being able to spend their lives in the company of dogs they love.

In Praise of a Wildlife Warrior: A Tribute to Steve Irwin: To some, he was as wild as the animals he caught on film.  To others, he was a consummate showman.  But no one could accuse Steve Irwin of ambivalence or complacency. He knew all too well that wildlife could be dangerous, even deadly, but he chose to take the risks involved in hunting down and capturing that wildlife on film for his viewers’ edification.  On September 4, 2006, he died in the course of that hunt.

The Stamp Collector: ZazzleStamps launched a program enabling companies to create a customized US Postal Stamp using an image of their choosing. It could be a company logo, an animal, a famous person, practically anything so long as it was not partisan or political in orientation. The Humane Society of the United States was quick to take advantage of the program, which donated a portion of the funds generated from the sale of stamps to the entity responsible for the design. The trouble was that their stamps reflected many of their current political campaigns. The Stamp Collector is the story of someone who took action to see that program rules were applied uniformly. We are proud to honor him as one of our heroes.

SPCA Cincinnati saves Katrina dogs: Dozens of organizations responded to a call for help when New Orleans was smashed by Hurricane Katrina in September. One of the first in line was SPCA Cincinnati, Ohio, an association well-known in Ohio and Kentucky for its disaster relief efforts and willingness to help other area shelters place adoptable animals in new homes.

The Wilds exemplifies partnerships to save species: In 1986, a coal company, a bunch of zoos, and an Ohio state agency formed a unique public-private partnership with the ambitious plan to protect and conserve endangered species in natural areas. Today, the Wilds is home to dozens of species, participates in joint projects to restore some species to their historical ranges, and plans and implements research efforts to improve animal management, find cures for diseases, and improve reproductive strategies for declining species.

Iams is NAIA's Hero or the Year for 2004 “Our research confirms that no other company has done more for animals and animal enthusiasts than The Iams Company,” said NAIA National Director Patti Strand. “From the development of high-quality pet foods and pet health research to shelter programs, breeder education and sponsorship of dog and cat events and clubs, Iams has consistently led the way in promoting animal welfare and strengthening the bond between people and their pets.”

Eden brings animals, gardens to nursing homes: The Eden Alternative is animal therapy writ large – it brings animals into nursing and retirement homes as permanent inhabitants in a cooperative program that involves staff and residents.

Merck helps vanquish river blindness:
In 1987, Merck & Company began a plan to donate its drug Mectizan to tropical nations suffering from river blindness, a debilitating parasite-borne disease that can infect millions of people annually. The company's generosity has delivered millions of people from the misery of infection and the invasion of eye tissue by microscopic worms. Nation after nation has announced that the disease is no longer a major health threat. (June, 2004)

Rodeo group earns 2003 equine welfare award: The American Association of Equine Practitioners honored the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association with the Lavin Cup, an equine welfare award presented to organizations that demonstrate exceptional compassion or develop and enforce rules and guidelines for the welfare of the horse.

Seniors Shine in Agility: Jim and Ruth Hutchins excel at dog training, in competition, and as good friends at Queen City Dog Training Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. (January, 2004)

Christopher Reeve gets prestigious award: The 2003 Mary Woodard Lasker Award for Public Service on behalf of medical research went to Christopher Reeve, the actor who was paralyzed from the neck down after a fall from his horse. (January, 2004)

Watch this space for more heroes, winners, and success stories as time goes by.