That’s a good, award winning boy.
Every year, the American Human Society (AHS) awards one dog as the Hero Dog of the Year. Hundreds of dogs are nominated across the country, and are split up into a number of different categories – including military dogs, therapy dogs, shelter dogs, service and guide dogs, and law enforcement and first responder dogs.
This year, one of the finalists was 4-year-old mixed breed from Nashville, Tennessee by the name of Sgt. Bo. He was nominated as a therapy dog, and also could have fit into the category of law enforcement and first responder dogs (Sgt. Bo just recently retired from the Metro Nashville Police Department along with Officer Faye Okert, his handler).
In Sgt. Bo’s bio on the American Humane Society’s Hero Dog Awards page, it confirmed that the former stray dog is now retired, but once helped as a therapy dog for those affected by the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee:
“Sgt. Bo recently retired from the Metro Nashville Police Department, where he served as a dedicated therapy dog, offering comfort to countless children and adults in schools. In addition to trauma support, he helped de-escalate children in crisis and offered comfort to everyone he met.
Once a stray, Sgt. Bo’s journey from loneliness to heroism is a powerful story of hope and love. His soulful eyes speak volumes—offering safety, warmth and unconditional care to all he meets.
Only a few months into his service, he brought comfort to survivors in the aftermath of a tragic school shooting. His calm presence and gentle spirit left an imprint on hearts that remember him to this day—his impact was immediate, and his legacy continues to heal.”
Though there were many other dogs up for the awards that had compelling stories, it was Sgt. Bo’s that shined through the most, and he was awarded the title of 2025 AHS Hero Dog of the Year. The award usually goes to a dog that stands out in his or her field, and Sgt. Bo is no exception. He was critical to the healing and grieving process at the Covenant School, and his work as therapy dog was officially recognized with this award.
The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee celebrated Sgt. Bo’s big win with a post on Facebook dedicated to the dog and all that it’s done to help out the students of the school where tragedy struck in 2023:
“Bo has been a steady, gentle presence on our campus — greeting students with quiet reassurance, offering soft nuzzles during hard moments, and reminding us all of the comfort that comes from being truly seen and loved. He has an incredible gift for sensing when someone needs a friend, and he shows up every single time.”
What a story… from a stray dog on the streets of Florida to winning the Hero Dog of the Year.
The 2025 American Humane Society Hero Dog was revealed this morning on TODAY. You can watch Sgt. Bo find out he’s the lucky (and deserving) winner in the video below:
