Military hero Flo Joe and Australian Army Explosive Detection Dog handler Sergeant Ian Moss were among the honorees at the 2026 Australian Animal Distinguished Service Awards in Canberra. Pictures courtesy Sergeant Ian Moss and Australian War Memorial.
A pioneering Explosive Detection Dog and a Canberra hospital service dog were among the animals recognised at the 2026 Australian Animal Distinguished Service Awards in Canberra. Presented by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, the annual awards honoured the outstanding contribution of animals to Australia's military, law enforcement and civilian service history.
"Holding the awards at the Australian War Memorial deepens our role in recognising service and sacrifice, including the vast contributions of animals to Australia's military history," said Matt Anderson, director of the Australian War Memorial.
The Animal Distinguished Service Award was presented posthumously to Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) Flo Joe, the first Australian EDD to locate an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan. Across four deployments over six years, Flo Joe's work directly protected Australian personnel operating in some of the most heavily IED-affected areas of the conflict. On her fourth deployment, she recorded the highest number of finds in her section for that rotation.
"Flo Joe's award acknowledges the risks faced by service animals and their handlers in active conflict zones, as well as her pioneering achievements in explosive detection. She was a safekeeper of our service personnel," Mr Anderson said.
Canberra hospital service dog Lachie was also honoured with the Animal Distinguished Service Medallion for his work supporting patients and families in acute care settings. Since joining Canberra Health Services in 2023, Lachie had become a valued part of spiritual care teams, providing comfort to people facing serious illness, trauma and grief. Lachie's award is an important recognition of service that is quieter yet equally significant.
