Annually MPA recognizes programs of excellence and individuals who have made major contributions to improve animal welfare in Michigan through an awards and grants program.
2022 Making a Difference Awards
Friend of Homeless Animals Award
Representative Tommy Brann, Kent County, Michigan, is awarded the Friend of Homeless Animals Award for leading the charge in the Michigan House of Representatives to bring accountability to the animal testing industry by sponsoring Teddy’s Law, HBs 4881/4882.

Best Friend to Dogs Award
Jennifer Clarkson, Bloomfield, Michigan, is awarded the Best Friend to Dogs Award. As the founder and executive director at Dog Aide Community Awareness, Clarkson has dedicated her adult life to improving the quality of care for dogs in need.

Best Friend to Cats Award
Cheryl Phillips, Northville, Michigan, is awarded the Best Friend to Cats Award. As founder of GG’s Foundation, Phillips has spent the last 10 years providing trap, neuter, vaccinate, return (TNVR) services to more than 1,150 cats in Michigan.

Karen Brocklehurst Volunteer of the Year
Anne Grzywacz, Ph.D., CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, is awarded a $100 gift card and the distinguished title of Karen Brocklehurst Volunteer of the Year for exemplifying every characteristic of the woman for whom the award is posthumously named.

2022 The New Normal Awards
Community Outreach Program
Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance, Douglas, Michigan, is awarded a $3,000 grant for its Let’s Fix It and pet housing programs for clients of domestic violence and homeless families.

Fundraising Program
Paws for Life Rescue, Troy, Michigan, is awarded a $2,000 grant for its Paws for Life Draws for Life fundraiser and donor thank you program.

2022 Continuous Improvement Grants
On-Site Cat Training
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, Harbor Springs, Michigan, is awarded an on-site cat training grant for its Creative Kids and Cats program and its Cats with Class program. Creative Kids and Cats inspires children to learn more about cat behavior and how to appropriately interact with feline friends. Cats with Class focuses on tracking and furthering enrichment to all shelter cats each day.

Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter, Gwinn, Michigan, is awarded an on-site cat training grant for its plans to greatly improve its existing cat behavior program, including clicker training, targeting, new techniques for handling fractious and scared cats, and how to create more engagement activities.
