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Awards

Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award

In 2025, the inaugural Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award ceremony was held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The first awards were presented to ADF Combat Assault Dogs, Manic and Aslan, recognising their extraordinary service, courage, and dedication.

The civilian service award was presented to Smoky, the world’s first recorded post-traumatic assistance dog from World War II, in Brisbane.

These awards are specifically aimed at recognising the contributions of Australian and New Zealand animals, ensuring that their service and sacrifice are honoured in a distinctly Australasian context.

The award was established to provide a national equivalent to earlier British animal honours, reflecting a shift similar to that of the MBE to the OAM.

AWAMO, as the registered charity overseeing the award in Australia, administers it with a selection panel composed of experts from animal welfare, Defence Forces, RSL/RSA representatives, and service animal organisations. In New Zealand, the award is overseen by a dedicated selection panel under the RSA.

Nominations are assessed annually, with awards announced on 11 November and presented on 24 February, International War and Service Animal Day.

Award Categories and Criteria

The award has two categories:

Service Animals

Recognising Defence Force or Emergency Service animals that have displayed distinguished service.

Civilian Animals

Recognising private or community animals that have demonstrated exceptional deeds or service.

All nominations must include documented evidence and independent witness accounts to substantiate the animal’s actions. The panel considers factors such as the impact of the animal’s service, emotional significance, and any previous recognition by other organisations. Posthumous awards are also considered.

Selection Panel

The Australian panel includes:

The New Zealand panel includes:

Colin Waite (President)
Brian Ramsey (Vice President)
Tina Grant (Secretary)
Diane Wilson (Treasurer)
and other key Defence and animal welfare representatives

These panels operate transparently, with voting procedures, conflict-of-interest policies, and annual meetings to ensure rigorous and fair selection.

Medal and Presentation

The Australian Animal Distinguished Service Medal features a purple ribbon representing war animals and the internationally recognised Purple Poppy.

The medal depicts a horse, dog, bird, and cat, symbolising all service animals, while the reverse shows a Centaur, representing the enduring human-animal bond.

Each medal includes a nameplate for individual recognition. The award is presented at a dignified ceremony whenever possible, and animals may wear the medal on parades or ceremonies, with a separate pin issued to their handler or owner.

Notable Recipients

Aslan

Combat Assault Dog Aslan served six years with the 2nd Commando Regiment, Special Operations Command Australia, includin...

Chuck

Yardley, imported from a breeding program in Melbourne, and Chuck, a Springer Spaniel, deployed to Afghanistan’s Bamiyan...

FAX

Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) combat assault dog In a moving ceremony in Perth in November 2025, Special Air Servi...

EDD Flo Joe

Flo Joe was a member of the Australian Army from 6th July 2006 – 10th Oct 2012. She was privately owned by Ian Moss afte...

Ikey Parker

Ikey is a four-year-old Labrador–Retriever accredited through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a PTSD assistance d...

Lachie

Lachie has been a valued and recognised presence within ESA alongside his handler, an Associate Chaplain and Spiritual C...

Manic

Combat Assault Dog Manic, a Belgian Malinois, served with distinction for six years as a Combat Assault Dog with the 2nd...

Police Horse Vulcan

Standing at 18.1 hands and weighing an imposing 850kg, Police Horse Vulcan’s grand stature was matched only by his outst...

Smoky The War Dog

Smoky was a Yorkshire Terrier who served with the Allied Forces in World War II as a mascot and messenger, becoming the ...

Yardley

Afghan Service Dog Yardley, imported from a breeding program in Melbourne, and Chuck, a Springer Spaniel, deployed to Af...

Through the Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award and the Blue Cross Award, AWAMO ensures the bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice of animals - whether in battle, service, or companionship - are never forgotten. From historic heroes like Bill the Bastard and Digger to modern military working dogs such as Manic, Aslan, Yardley, and Chuck, AWAMO proudly celebrates the extraordinary contributions of our four-legged veterans.