News on Relevant Science: 10 Animals Who've Earned Awards

It's not uncommon to see an animal awarded for its beauty, athleticism and obedience, but every once in a while these furry creatures are recognized for their heroic efforts and extraordinary courage in times of danger and desperation. For many years now, animals of all kinds have shown bravery in war, natural disasters, law enforcement and other trying times, proving that man's best friends can be heroes and pets at the same time. Check out these 10 animals who've earned awards:

Smoky the War Dog

Smoky was one of the most decorated war dogs in U.S. history. The 4-pound, 7-inch tall Yorkshire Terrier was found by an American soldier in an abandoned foxhole in the New Guinea jungle and was later sold to Corporal William A. Wynne of Cleveland. Smoky got her first taste of war during backpacking trips and combat flights with Wynne. She was credited for surviving 12 combat missions and awarded eight battle stars. Smoky helped save Wynne's life several times by warning him of oncoming fire and helping him find cover. Thanks to Smoky's small and slender body, she was able to assist crewmen by running wires underground and handling complicated digging tasks. Although Smoky passed away more than 50 years ago, she is still being recognized today with six memorials dedicated in her name. Corporal Wynne recently accepted the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Certificate for Animal Bravery on behalf of Smoky.
Dotty the Donkey

An English donkey named Dotty earned the prestigious People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Certificate for Animal Bravery after she saved her friend, Stanley the sheep, from a vicious pit bull attack. When Dotty saw Stanley being attacked, she didn't act sheepish. She galloped over to the dog, pinned it to the ground and chased it out of the field. Stanley suffered facial paralysis and lost two teeth in the attack. The pit bull responsible for the attack and other injuries on the farm was euthanized.
Diamond the Pit Bull

The Hayward family has their heroic pit bull, Diamond, to thank for being alive and well today. In October 2010, Diamond woke everyone up when their apartment caught fire. Her owner, Darryl Steen, grabbed his 9-year-old daughter and safely dropped her out of the window, but he couldn't find his 16-year-old daughter who was hiding under a mattress. Diamond found the teenager and courageously shielded her from the flames. Firefighters found Steen's daughter and Diamond and brought them to safety. Both Steen and his teenage daughter were hospitalized for their severe burns. The 15-month-old dog also underwent treatment for burns and smoke inhalation. The Hayward's powerful story garnered a lot of media attention, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles presented their 29th Annual National Hero Dog award to Diamond for her heroic actions. Steen has used this opportunity to speak out against discrimination of pit bulls and show a softer side of this misunderstood breed.
Winnie the Cat

A wise cat named Winnie won the ASPCA Cat of the Year Award in 2007 for saving her owners from carbon monoxide poisoning. The 14-year-old domestic shorthair was snoozing at her family's house in New Castle, Ind., when she sensed something wasn't right. She went into her owners Cathy and Michael Keesling's room to alert them of the toxic fumes. Winnie jumped on the bed and began meowing wildly to alert her owners, waking Cathy who proceeded to dial 911. Her husband was not responding and their 14-year-old son was unconscious on the bedroom floor. Paramedics arrived quickly and got the whole family to safety, thanks to the early warning by their beloved Winnie.
Cher Ami the Pigeon

Cher Ami was not your average pigeon on the street. This wartime pigeon was one of hundreds of thousands of pigeons who were enlisted by the U.S. military to conduct surveillance missions and send messages. But there was something special about Cher Ami. He flew for the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I and helped relay 12 important messages before being shot down by enemies in 1919. Cher Ami was struck in the breast and leg, but still managed to deliver the message in spite of his injuries. Cher Ami's courage and dedication to the mission helped save the lives of 194 soldiers in Major Charles Whittlesey's "Lost Battalion." The brave pigeon was awarded the French Croix de Guerre award for his military contributions, and his body is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Magic the Miniature Horse

Magic the miniature horse shows that big things can come in the smallest packages. The blue-eyed therapy horse was named AARP's Most Heroic Pet in 2009 for her magical work on an elderly woman who rediscovered her voice. While visiting an assisted-living facility in Florida, Magic prompted resident Kathleen Loper to speak for the first time in years. The facility's staff was stunned to hear the silent woman ask "Isn't she beautiful?" All it took was one look at the beautiful miniature horse to get Loper to communicate, and she has been talking ever since that moment. Magic and the Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses continue to assist patients across Florida.
Lulu the Kangaroo

Lulu, an Australian pet kangaroo, earned the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' highest award, the National Animal Valor Award, which honors exceptional courage in times of danger. Lulu helped save the life of her owner, Australian farmer Len Richards, who was hit by a falling tree branch and knocked unconscious on the family farm. The 4-year-old kangaroo made a commotion for help by barking loudly. Richards' wife heard Lulu's bark and found her husband in distress. Lulu was standing over Richards and rolled him onto his side so he could breathe. He was flown to a hospital via helicopter and made a full recovery thanks to his trusty marsupial.
Trakr the Police Dog

Trakr was one of the most celebrated police dogs in the world because of his courageous search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. At the time of the 9/11 attacks, Trakr, a German shepherd police dog from Nova Scotia, had already retired, but he and his trainer decided to go to New York City to help. Trakr was credited for finding the last survivor buried under debris at the site of the World Trade Center. Trakr suffered from smoke inhalation, exhaustion and burns during his rescue efforts. Years later, Trakr was stricken with a degenerative neurological disorder and died in 2009. Not only were Trakr's heroic efforts recognized with the Extraordinary Service to Humanity Award, but the dog's DNA was chosen in a BioArts International contest as the most "cloneworthy dog." Trakr was cloned and five puppies were produced.
Scarlett the Cat

Scarlett was a legendary cat who risked her life to rescue her five kittens from a fire in Brooklyn. The calico cat suffered serious burns to her eyes, ears and face as she entered the blazing building to grab her kittens one by one. Four of the five kittens survived the blaze and the entire family was adopted. The North Shore Animal Shelter created an award in Scarlett's honor, called the Scarlett Award for Animal Heroism, which is given to animals that engage in heroic acts that benefit humans or other animals. This famous feline was also awarded a certificate for bravery from the British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Toby the black Lab

Toby, a black Labrador from England, did everything in his power to prevent a burglar from coming into his home and hurting his owners during a 2007 break-in. Toby barked and snarled at the burglar, who retaliated by stabbing the dog multiple times with his knife. Toby suffered a punctured lung and several stab wounds to his chest, but he managed to scare the burglar off. The brave black lab made a full recovery and earned himself the prestigious People's Dispensary for Sick Animals' gold award for bravery in 2009.