Dakin Humane Society was honored with the Harmony & Compassion Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community Impact Award as part of the festivities during the Chinese American Cultural & Heritage Society’s 2026 Lunar New Year event at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 1, according to Dakin’s Executive Director Meg Talbert. The award was given on behalf of the Asian American Pacific Islander community that has benefited from Dakin's outreach and work.

Emma Chen-Banas, who serves as a Commissioner with the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission (AAPIC) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, stated, “On behalf of the AAPI community, I want to share how much we truly appreciate the meaningful work Dakin is doing in western Massachusetts. Many members of the Asian community have personally expressed how they have benefited from Dakin’s services and outreach. Its impact is both visible and deeply valued. We were also especially touched to learn that Dakin’s founder, Janet Frances Wilder, was born in China - a meaningful historical connection that resonates with our community.”

The 2026 Lunar New Year event marked the Year of the Horse, and is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in Chinese and East Asian communities. It is a time for families and communities to come together to honor traditions, embrace renewal and share hopes for prosperity and happiness in the year ahead. The gala’s theme celebrated the spirit of togetherness and the richness of cultural heritage, and featured world-class Chinese performing artists and internationally recognized groups, traditional music, dance, martial arts, acrobatics and more, in addition to the awards presentation.

Talbert, who accepted the award on behalf of Dakin, thanked the AAPI community for the honor, and noted, “As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we reflect on its spirit of strength, resilience, and forward momentum. At Dakin, compassion is more than a value—it’s the daily work of caring for animals, supporting families, and building lasting harmony in our community. True progress happens when we come together to protect the vulnerable, guided by purpose and sustained by compassion—something we strive to live every day.”

She also added that, as part of its new three-year strategic plan, Dakin is about to launch a new Community Outreach Program that expands its role as a social service organization for animals and the people who love them. This program takes Dakin’s mission to deliver effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them beyond the shelter walls, meeting people where they are and ensuring they have the veterinary care, spay/neuter services, and resources they need before challenges become crises.

Dakin Humane Society, located in Springfield, MA, is a 501 (c) (3) organization that delivers effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in western Massachusetts, and a national leader in animal welfare. In a typical year, the organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals and has performed over 144,000 spay/neuter surgeries since 2009, making it one of New England’s largest spay/neuter providers. Dakin’s Pet Health Center, a non-emergency veterinary resource for pet dogs and cats, has conducted more than 16,000 patient visits since it opened in 2022. Dakin is a local non-profit organization that relies solely on contributions from individuals and businesses that care about animals to bring its services to the community. For more information, visit www.dakinhumane.org.