Three Rhode Islanders are being recognized by Handsome Dan’s Rescue for their efforts and dedication to protecting the state’s lost and homeless animals.

Handsome Dan’s is a non-profit volunteer organization that assists the care, sheltering, and placement as well as fundraising for veterinary care for those dogs in shelter facilities across Rhode Island.

They announced Cathy Cardoso Simonini as their 2015 Shelter Worker of the Year.

Cardoso Simonini is a cat room manager and veterinary technician at the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The award goes to a shelter worker that goes above and beyond the call of duty in their commitment to homeless animals and their care.

She provides individualized care for each animal and is always “on call” for both medical and behavioral questions.

Along with the honor, Simonini will receive a plaque for the honor as well as a gift basket.

Heather Gutshall, CPDT-KA, co-founder and president of Handsome Dan’s Rescue, said in a press release, “The folks who take care of our state’s homeless animals are often under-appreciated, so this is our way of thanking them and giving them some well-deserved recognition for their efforts to give a voice to all the animals who can’t speak for themselves.”

She said that it is thanks to volunteers like Cardoso Simonini and the other award recipients that Rhode Island’s needy and homeless animals find a “forever home.”

Runner up to Cardoso Simonini was Erin Medeiros, an animal control officer with the Johnston Animal Control.

Outside of work, Medeiros fundraises for the medical care of those animals in the care of Johnston Animal Control.

Another award from Handsome Dan’s is the Animal Hero award, which was given to Kevin Swerling of Warwick.

Swerling is the volunteer administrator of the RI Lost Pets Facebook Page, which was first created by Amber McNulty, a Handsome Dan’s foster care provider.

Once Kevin was in control he made the page more user-friendly, and thanks to him coordinating the information and sightings, there have been many reunions between lost pets and their families.

For more information on Handsome Dan’s Rescue, visit www.handsomedansrescue.org.