Champ may have only three legs, but that hasn’t stopped him from living a life full of adventure, spreading happiness, and winning hearts. The 10-year-old Yorkie mix from Cohoes, New York, has officially been crowned the winner of PEOPLE’s 2026 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest, proving that this little rescue pup has plenty to celebrate.

But Champ’s journey to becoming an award-winning therapy dog began far from the spotlight. Once a stray wandering the streets of Texas with a serious leg injury, he eventually found a loving family who saw everything he could become rather than what he had lost.

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A Little Rescue Dog Who Refused to Slow Down

Before he was known as Champ, the adorable Yorkie mix went by a very different name: Chunk. He was rescued from the streets of Texas by My Chi & Me Rescue in The Woodlands after being found with a serious injury to one of his back legs.

Despite his difficult circumstances, Chunk had somehow managed to put on a few extra pounds while living as a stray. His future mom, Susan Carmody, later joked to PEOPLE that he might have been the only overweight stray anyone had ever found.

Veterinarians examined the little dog and determined that amputating his injured leg would give him the best opportunity to live comfortably without pain. The surgery went smoothly, and Chunk was eventually transferred to Wagging Tails Rescue NY, where he would have the chance to find a permanent home.

That opportunity came in 2023, when Carmody, a special education teacher from Cohoes, New York, was searching for another dog to love after losing her previous rescue pet. Having already cared for a dog who was blind and deaf, she was especially drawn to animals with special needs.

When she spotted Chunk’s photograph, his oversized ears immediately caught her attention. Learning that he had only three legs made her even more determined to give him a chance.

From Chunk to Champ and a Wonderful New Beginning

In November 2023, Carmody adopted the little dog, just one month after his amputation. She expected that he might need extra assistance adjusting to life on three legs, but Champ quickly showed her just how capable he was. To her amazement, he could run, jump, and play without letting his missing leg hold him back. His adventurous personality inspired her to give him a new name that better reflected his spirit: Champ.

“Nothing held him back. He was invincible,” Carmody told PEOPLE.

As Champ settled into his new life, Carmody noticed something else about him. He loved meeting people, exploring unfamiliar places, and being part of whatever was happening around him.

Those qualities eventually inspired her to pursue therapy dog certification through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Champ earned his certification and began using his friendly personality to bring comfort to people in different settings.

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A Three-Legged Therapy Dog With a Big Mission

Today, Champ regularly visits schools, airports, and assisted living facilities, where he offers companionship and comfort to the people he meets. His visits have become an important part of his life, giving him plenty of opportunities to share the affection his family knows so well.

Carmody also brings Champ into her special education classroom, where her students have developed a special fondness for him. According to his proud dog mom, the children treat him like a celebrity whenever he visits.

For Carmody, watching people respond to Champ has made their therapy work especially rewarding. She told PEOPLE that seeing people’s faces light up helps her recognize the difference they are making together. And while Champ was already a star among the people he visited, an even bigger honor was waiting for him.

Champ Wins the World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Title

Thousands of voters fell in love with Champ during PEOPLE’s 2026 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest, presented by the PEDIGREE brand. His charm also impressed the competition’s celebrity judges, including Dolores Catania, The Dogist’s Elias Weiss Friedman, and the hosts of CBS Mornings.

When Champ was announced as the winner, Carmody could hardly believe the news. She told PEOPLE she was so overwhelmed that she started shaking, and she jokingly recalled that Champ’s already impressive ears seemed to grow a little bigger when she shared the exciting announcement.

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His victory came with a year’s supply of PEDIGREE dog food and a $1,000 donation to an animal rescue organization of Carmody’s choosing. She plans to donate the money to Wagging Tails Rescue NY, the organization that helped bring Champ into her life.

Champ wasn’t the only adorable dog recognized in the competition. Two other rescue pups, Tiberius and Bean, also earned runner-up honors. For Carmody, however, Champ’s greatest accomplishment goes beyond winning a contest. Every day, she watches a once-homeless dog embrace new experiences, connect with people, and make the most of his second chance.

“He reminds me to focus not on what’s missing, but what’s possible,” she told PEOPLE.

This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.