Malnourished Mississippi stray became FEMA search dog; now 2026 Dog of the Year

A severely malnourished stray rescued in Mississippi in 2021 has gone from months of medical care to working alongside emergency responders in some of the US’s most challenging disaster zones. Canyon was brought to the Hancock County Animal Shelter after being found as a stray, where he received extensive veterinary treatment before his intelligence and drive caught the attention of a search-and-rescue handler. He was subsequently placed with Category 5 K9, a programme that trains dogs for specialised search and detection work. After extensive training, Canyon earned dual certifications in 2023 for human-remains detection and wilderness operations. He has since deployed to major disasters, including the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Helene and the 2025 Texas floods, while also assisting investigations. The ASPCA has now named Canyon its 2026 Dog of the Year.From severely malnourished stray to FEMA-certified search dogCanyon's story began in 2021, when he was rescued as a stray in Mississippi and taken to the Hancock County Animal Shelter. He was in poor condition and required months of medical care before he was ready for a new chapter. During his recovery, however, those around him no...