Pet Partners 2026 Pet of the Year: Nominate Your Pet and Support Therapy Animals
02/06/2026
Pet Partners 2026 Pet of the Year Starts Now!
A Celebration of Pets, Purpose, and the Human-Animal Bond
Pets change lives every day. They bring comfort in hospitals, joy in schools, and calm in moments of stress. In 2026, Pet Partners is once again inviting pet lovers across the country to celebrate that impact through its fifth annual Pet of the Year fundraising competition!
Pet of the Year is a nationwide, virtual fundraiser that honors the pets we love and the lives they help change. From dogs and cats to rabbits and horses, pets of all kinds can be nominated. And pets do not need to be registered therapy animals to participate.
Nominations for 2026 are now open! Between February 1—March 16, 2026, any individual can nominate a special pet in their life. The fundraising portion of the event starts March 2 and ends April 13, with winners announced April 14, 2026. Since this event is fully virtual, anyone can join from anywhere!
What makes Pet of the Year special is simple: it gives people a joyful way to celebrate their pets while supporting a trusted cause. Every dollar raised helps expand safe, effective therapy animal visits across the country.
How Pet of the Year Works
Pet of the Year is designed to be fun, flexible, and easy to join.
It starts with a nomination. Pet parents, friends, family members, or fans can nominate a beloved animal in their life to become a Pet of the Year candidate. This can include Pet Partners therapy animals, other beloved pets, and even animals that have crossed the rainbow bridge. You don’t have to be a volunteer to nominate or participate.
Once nominated, each pet receives a personalized fundraising page. From there, the campaign begins!
Candidates fundraise by sharing their pet’s story, photos, and videos with their community. Supporters donate, cheer them on, and help spread the word about Pet Partners. The more funds a candidate raises, the closer they get to earning the Pet of the Year title.
Throughout the six-week campaign, Pet Partners shares tips and celebrates milestones. At the end of the fundraiser, top fundraisers are recognized with national honors and prizes.
What You’re Fundraising For
Funds raised through Pet of the Year directly supports the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program.
By fundraising for Pet of the Year, candidates help
- Train and support new therapy animal teams
- Expand access to therapy animal visits
- Promote animal welfare and handler education
- Strengthen evidence-based programs
Every donation supports visits that improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond.
What Will the Pet of the Year Win?
Top fundraisers from Pet of the Year are rewarded with meaningful prizes and national recognition.
2026 Pet of the Year fundraisers can earn exciting prizes that celebrate their pets and their impact, including:
- A featured appearance on national Oh Behave! Show on Pet Life Radio and Four-Legged Life Podcast with America’s Pet Edu-Tainer, Arden Moore –the #1, longest-running pet podcast in America and one of Oprah’s Top 3 Pet Podcasts
- A Petique jogger for adventures on the go
- $500 in pet apparel prizes from Gooby
- Premium gift baskets and prize packages from KONG, Wellness Pet Company, Earth Rated, and Earthbath
- Pet travel provided by RetrievAir
- Special storytelling and spotlight opportunities through Pet Partners’ digital and print channels, including recognition through our Spotlight Awards and specialty gear from our Bonfire store (check out past winners on our store here!)
Prizes may vary by placement, but every top fundraiser earns recognition for helping expand therapy animal visits nationwide.
Nominate your Pet and Join the Celebration
Pet of the Year is more than a fundraiser. It is a celebration of the pets who make our lives better and the people who believe in sharing that joy with others.
By nominating a pet, you help support therapy animal teams and bring comfort to people who need it most.
Nominations for the 2026 Pet of the Year are now open. Celebrate your pet, support a trusted mission, and become part of something meaningful.
