Iowa Animal Hall of Fame

Nominate today for Iowa Animal Hall of Fame!
Do you have an exceptional patient?  Maybe it’s a hard-working K9, a service dog or an ordinary pet doing extraordinary things. Whether the animal is saving lives, lending sight or hearing to a human companion or just welcoming your client home with extra love, we want to hear about it!

The Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) honors animals and their owners who demonstrate an exceptional human-animal bond through the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame. This program recognizes animals that, through their bravery, companionship, or professional contributions, have made a difference in their community and enriched human lives.

The goals of the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame are:

• To honor the outstanding contributions our animal companions, make to human lives.
• To heighten public awareness of the human-animal bond.
• To allow the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association members to share in celebrating their patients’ accomplishments by serving as nominators.

Since 1998, 70 dogs, 3 horses, 1 cat and 1 cow have been inducted into the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame in one of three categories: Companion, Professional or Hero. Any IVMA member (veterinarian or technician) may nominate an animal to the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame.  Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of IVMA leadership and sponsor representatives.

The Iowa Animal Hall of Fame is sponsored by the IVMA and Hill's Pet Nutrition.

Nominate for the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame here.

The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2026.

2025 Iowa Hall of Fame Inductees

Companion Category
 
The winner in the Companion Category of the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame is Ruckus, a lovable 10-year-old Dalmatian belonging to Carl and Deb Badtram of Strawberry Point. Ruckus was nominated by Dr. Ashley Vander Hart of Edgewood Veterinary Clinic, who recognized his remarkable ability to bring joy to everyone he meets.
 
Ruckus’ infectious enthusiasm makes him a beloved visitor at the clinic. Each month, he arrives with his tail wagging, spreading happiness to the entire staff. His playful personality and festive outfits, especially around the holidays, have become a highlight of their days.
 
Dr. Vander Hart shares, "Even on our toughest, most stressful days, Ruckus somehow manages to bring a smile to all of us with his goofy charm and loving nature."
 
The Badtram family has raised Ruckus since he was a puppy, and it’s clear he has grown into a devoted and spirited companion. His visits remind everyone at the clinic of the profound joy that animals bring into our lives.

 
 
Professional Category
 
The Professional Category inductees are Nacho and Corrin, a remarkable pair of Golden Retriever mixes who work together to bring comfort and joy to the children at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Their handlers, Emily Bradley and Aly Humphrey, are child life specialists dedicated to supporting young patients during their hospital stay. Nacho and Corrin were nominated by Dr. Susan Kula of the Veterinary Medical Center in Williamsburg for their outstanding service.

Nacho and Corrin’s journey began when they were just a few weeks old, training through the nonprofit Canine Assistants. They spent over a year learning to become facility dogs, preparing for the vital role they now serve at the children’s hospital. Through specialized bond-building exercises, their handlers have developed a deep, trusting relationship with them—ensuring they can provide emotional support to the children who need them most.

Working in a hospital environment requires Nacho and Corrin to be exceptionally gentle, as many of their young patients have fragile health conditions and require careful navigation around medical equipment. Yet, every day, they bring warmth and comfort, brightening up what can be one of the most challenging times in a family’s life.

Emily Bradley, Nacho’s handler, shares, “As a Child Life Team, our goal is to reduce fear and anxiety to positively impact the care of our pediatric patients. Nacho and Corrin help us better meet patients’ emotional and developmental needs”.

Dr. Kula adds, “Their personalities are pure love, and it is a joy to care for them so they can continue doing their incredibly important work”.

 
 
Hero Category
 
The inductee in the Hero Category is Ranger, a brave 9-year-old Boxer belonging to Kim and John Danos of West Des Moines. Ranger was nominated by Dr. Kim Kendall of Ingersoll Animal Hospital for his extraordinary act of courage.
 
One fateful day, Kim was working in her office when a home invader entered her house. As the intruder approached, reaching toward her, she shouted in alarm. In an instant, Ranger sprang into action, placing himself between Kim and the threat. Without hesitation, he grabbed the intruder’s arm, forcing him to flee.
 
Ranger was known for his gentle and trusting nature, making his instinctive response all the more remarkable. Although Ranger is no longer with us, his bravery in the face of danger exemplifies the deep bond between humans and their canine companions.