Vivian Peyton

Vivian Peyton, a dog who survived dogfighting operations and rehabilitation through the New Leash on Life USA prison-based re-entry program in Pennsylvania, went on to spend over a decade as a certified therapy dog comforting terminally ill children at Philadelphia's Ronald McDonald House and grieving pet owners across the region. She became the founding "DOGrector" of Rowan University's Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program in Glassboro, New Jersey, a program that grew to nearly 30 therapy dogs serving students, staff, and others across six of the university's campuses. In October 2025, the ASPCA honored Vivian with its Dog of the Year award at its annual Humane Awards ceremony. Vivian passed away in the summer of 2025, but her legacy continues through the program she helped build.