If you know an animal that deserves to be recognized with either our AWP Medal of Bravery or AWP Distinguished Service Medal, nominate them by August 31, 2025! These can be historic or current working animals.
We are now in our nomination period for our next set of heroes.
The 6th Animals in War & Peace Medal Ceremony will recognize and honor six unsung animal heroes for their accomplishments in both war and peace in Washington, DC in March 2026. Members of Congress will present medals to America’s animal heroes for either the AWP Distinguished Service Medal or the AWP Medal of Bravery. The Animals in War & Peace mission is to honor and recognize animals for bravery and service in both war and peace where their stories, and their valiant human handlers, will be recognized for generations to come.
The Animals in War and Peace Nominating Committee is seeking six animal medalists for both the Distinguished Service Medal and the Medal of Bravery. The nomination process ends August 31, 2025. We hope your organization will recommend a deserving animal hero for the 2026 medal ceremony in Washington, DC. The Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery is awarded to animals having served in past wars (posthumous), or current working or retired U.S. military dogs, service animals and first responders are welcomed to apply. The Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal will be awarded to animals distinguished by their exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S. in a duty of great responsibility.
Since 2019, thirty-three medals have been a warded – 23 Medals of Bravery and10 Distinguished Service Medals – to two horses, three pigeons and twenty-nine canines (including one canine team). Please visit our website for more information regarding our past recipients and their stories at: https://AnimalsInWarAndPeace.org, or on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animals_in_War_%26_Peace_Medal_of_Bravery
As one of the 2024 ceremony animal recipient handlers stated:
“The Animals in War & Peace award ceremony is unlike any other…Receiving the Medal of Bravery on behalf of my partner K9 Yoda is truly a tremendous honor. This award is a great way to highlight the dedication, service, hard work, and selflessness of our K9 partners.”
— Padraic Berlin, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), Detroit Sector, K9 Yoda Handler, Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery #18
Website: https://animalsinwarandpeace.org
Nomination Forms: https://animalsinwarandpeace.org/nomination-form-1
Deadline for receiving your nomination is August 31st.