Animal and human heroes from across the nation – including two-time Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan and senior dog advocate Steve Greig – to be honored for their valiant contributions to animal welfare at annual luncheon on October 9 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) unveiled its 2025 Humane Awards recipients, honoring both people and animal heroes from across the country who have gone above and beyond to bring attention to animal welfare and better the lives of those around them.
This year’s honorees include former NFL player and two-time Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan, senior dog advocate and content creator Steve Greig, Arizona hometown hero Zayin Berry, Dogs of the Year Vivian Peyton and Ralphie, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Our recipients have increased access to critical animal welfare resources across the country, put animal advocacy at the forefront of mainstream cultural conversations and touched the lives of individuals struggling with grief, crisis, and terminal illness. The 2025 ASPCA Humane Awards will recognize these powerful contributions at the annual luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
“We are proud to honor these remarkable individuals,” said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA. “Each has used their unique platform — whether celebrity influence, social media reach, professional expertise, or everyday acts of bravery — to demonstrate strength and compassion in their communities. Their efforts not only advance the ASPCA’s work to protect animals nationwide but also show the profound difference empathy and advocacy for animals make in our society.”
The ASPCA winners were selected in five categories, including ASPCA Kid of the Year, ASPCA Dogs of the Year, ASPCA Public Service Award, ASPCA Citizen Hero Award and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, named after the ASPCA’s founder which is given to an individual or institution exhibiting exceptional leadership, compassion and commitment to animal welfare.
This year’s heroic honorees include:
- ASPCA Kid of the Year: Zayin Berry
Zayin Berry is an inspiring young hero from Yuma, Arizona, who is being celebrated for his compassion and courageous spirit toward animals. At just 8 years old, Zayin bravely witnessed and diverted a group of children abusing a small kitten by offering his own cherished possession: his skateboard. With the help of his mother, Zayin saved the kitten who was in critical condition and later diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. The kitten, Peaches, underwent surgery where veterinarians of the Humane Society of Yuma removed his eye. Thanks to timely treatment, Peaches has since recovered and was later adopted by Zayin’s family.
- ASPCA Dogs of the Year: Vivian Peyton and Ralphie
Vivian Peyton was a bait dog in brutal dogfighting rings, enduring starvation, beatings and forced fights before being surrendered and brought to the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia. At just one year old, Vivian entered New Leash on Life USA’s prison-based re-entry program, supporting incarcerated returning citizens, where she was transformed through empathy, training and care. In January 2012, Vivian was adopted by Michele Pich and later passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program to begin her career as a distinguished therapy dog at the University of Pennsylvania’s VetPets Program. Vivian comforted terminally ill children and their families at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House and supported grieving pet owners through their losses. Vivian became a Therapy Dog Ambassador for the National Dog Show in 2012 and later the founding “DOGrector” of the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University — a program Michele has built and run since 2019. Vivian earned a Neighborhood Hero Award from the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union for her support during COVID and flu vaccine clinics. Vivian also supported Michele’s loved ones during their breast cancer journeys. Vivian recently passed away this summer. Ralphie will be accepting the award in her honor at this year’s luncheon. In December 2021, just one month after Michele Pich lost her best friend Kristen diNovi to breast cancer, Michele adopted Ralphie, a Cattle Dog/pit bull-mix from Lucky Dawg Rescue. Ralphie joined the family during a time of profound grief but quickly brought joy, hope and healing. Following in Vivian’s footsteps, Ralphie trained to become a therapy dog, passed his Canine Good Citizen test and in 2023 was named a Therapy Dog Ambassador for the National Dog Show. Ralphie now serves as the Associate “DOGrector” of the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University, where he participates in teaching demonstrations, clinical therapy sessions and offers vital emotional support to first responders, grieving families and students in crisis. Ralphie has become the unofficial spokesdog for the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium at Rowan University. Ralphie has been a critical support system for Michele who is undergoing her own breast cancer testing journey for her heightened breast cancer risk. Together, Vivian and Ralphie have exemplified resilience, compassion, and the profound power of healing through the human-animal bond – touching countless lives and inspiring hope in their community and beyond.
- ASPCA Public Service Award: Logan Ryan
Logan Ryan is a two-time Super Bowl champion, dedicated husband and father, passionate philanthropist and respected NFL analyst. Over the course of his 11-season NFL career, Logan played for the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Logan and his wife, Ashley, have spent years volunteering in animal shelters. Since 2013, the Ryan family has donated countless hours walking shelter dogs, helping match pets with adoptive families, organizing community vaccine clinics and capturing impactful photos to help animals get noticed and adopted. In 2017, Logan and Ashley co-founded the Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation (RARF), a nonprofit that provides grants, resources, and support to animal welfare organizations across the country. RARF’s mission is deeply woven into Logan’s NFL journey — from hosting annual Pup Rallies at Titans training camp, to organizing charity events and shelter visits in NFL cities. Logan introduced Tom Brady and his children to his local animal shelter — a visit that inspired Brady to volunteer and ultimately adopt two kittens. Logan, Ashley and their children share their home with: a 13-year-old Pug/Beagle-mix named Nala, a 12-year-old pit bull named Leo, a 6-year-old Beagle named Minnie, and a leopard gecko named Banana. In 2021, they lost their beloved dog Julius, a blind pit bull that they adopted as a senior. Their rescue journey also included caring for two hairless rats named Ziggy and Rhino as well as more than 40 foster kittens. Through their foundation, public platform and hands-on work in shelters, the Ryans continue to champion the power of pet adoption — proving that compassion, commitment and second chances can change lives.
- ASPCA Citizen Hero Award: Steve Greig
Steve Greig, known online as @wolfgang2242, is a retired accountant turned senior-pet advocate. Driven by grief over his late dog Wolfgang, Steve has since given a loving home to more than 40 senior animals. His household includes eight senior dogs, Chalmer, Fernando, Maytag, Couscous, Sue Ellen, Harriet, Turtle and Allister; his pet turkeys, Frank and Beans; his chickens, Betty, Henny and Penny; his ducks, Pat, Pebbles, and BamBam; his rabbits, Scratches, Ellen and Portia; and his pig, Bikini. Through his Instagram with 1.2 million followers, he shares humorous and touching stories of caring for dogs with heart disease, blindness, diabetes or limited mobility — all with the goal of inspiring others to open their hearts and homes to senior shelter pets. His advocacy extends beyond Instagram: he co-authored “The One and Only Wolfgang” and partners with nonprofits to promote senior-animal rescue.
- ASPCA Henry Bergh Award: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides quality manpower and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies and conducts investigations on behalf of the state as directed by the Governor and Attorney General. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) launched its Dogfighting Unit in 2023, which works collaboratively with other state agencies and numerous local, federal, and community partners to rescue approximately 500 dogs, arresting approximately 116 people, resulting in more than 470 charges. Dogfighting is a national felony and is one of the most heinous forms of animal cruelty. Criminal activity is often associated with dogfighting. Nearly all dogfighting investigations involve the discovery and seizure of illegal drugs and about two-thirds result in the seizure of weapons. Illegal gambling is the number one crime associated with dogfighting. Dogfighting often involves participants who have been, or may be, involved in other serious crimes, including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual violence. SLED works to increase awareness of dogfighting as a crime and provides training to recognize the potential of dogfighting activity to shut down criminal operations as soon as possible.
For more information on the 2025 Humane Awards Luncheon or to make a donation to the ASPCA, visit aspca.org/2025hal. Your support will help the ASPCA continue its frontline work to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty, revolutionizing the way society cares for animals.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation’s leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
SOURCE ASPCA
