Sgt. Bo was recognized for offering trauma support, therapeutic snuggles and warmth to countless students in Nashville and was a source of comfort in the aftermath of the deadly shooting at The Covenant School in March 2023 that killed three students and three adults.
Sgt. Bo kisses a student while his handler Faye Okert holds onto him.
Sgt. Bo with handler Faye Okert and other members of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and Covenant students.
Sgt. Bo with his pickleballs.

Sergeant Bo, a former member of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and a comfort dog was crowned the winner of American Humane Hero Dog Awards, beating four other finalists.

The four-year-old good boy, alongside his handler Faye Okert, also a retired law enforcement officer, have been offering trauma support, therapeutic snuggles and warmth to countless students in Nashville and was a source of comfort in the aftermath of the deadly shooting at The Covenant School in March 2023 that killed three students and three adults.

President and CEO of the American Humane Society, and co-creator of the annual Hero Dog Awards campaign Dr. Robin Ganzert told USA TODAY Sgt. Bo "embodies everything American Humane Society looks for in a hero dog: service, resiliency, and love."

"His work offering comfort and confidence to the kids of Nashville is a beautiful testament to the healing power of the human-animal bond," Ganzert said. "Sgt. Bo’s transformation from a shelter pet living on the street to a police therapy dog serving his community should inspire us all. We are honored to celebrate this scruffy superstar and crown him as America’s 2025 Hero Dog."

Bo will be formally honored at the 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards and Gala in Florida early next year, alongside the four other honorary heroic canines.

What to know about Bo

Bo, a classic mutt comprised of several breeds, including pit bull, according to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, was found wandering the streets of Florida in 2022. He was taken in by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Paws and Stripes College, a program that gives homeless pups a second chance at life by training them as therapy dogs, in April 2022.

When Okert learned about the program, she advocated the benefits of having a K-9 counterpart support and sought the necessary permissions. However, when she saw Bo's photo for the first time, she was hesitant in adopting him worried that people might mock the small, scruffy dog, who was struggling with severe skin allergies at the time. Okert previously told The Tennessean she traveled to Florida with the intention of asking for a different dog, but after watching Sgt. Bo train and later meeting him, she immediately knew she found her new partner.

Describing him as “an old soul in a young dog’s body,” Okert said Bo’s superpower is helping people of all ages feel at ease.

"I believe that when he walks into a room, he knows who needs his help," Okert said about her pet in an interview with the Humane Society. "We have a voice and we use words, (but) Bo doesn't need a voice. He has his calm demeanor, he has his eyes. People look into his eyes, and they instantly fall in love."

"They instantly feel safe and comforted," she added.

Sgt. Bo was named after former Nashville officer Emerson "Bo" Boguskie, a 37-year-old veteran officer who died in 2022, as per The Tennessean. The Boguskie family lived across the street from Okert's best friend, and it seemed fitting, she told the media outlet.

Okert and Bo had been on the job for only three months when tragedy struck at The Covenant School in Nashville, killing three students and three adults. Officials quickly called the duo to the church where children were reuniting with their parents and Bo offered comfort and support to the devastated children.

"Bo remained a steady source of comfort and safety during the community’s darkest hours," American Humane said. "In the weeks that followed, students would run right to him and Officer Okert from their cars at drop-off, and teachers still recall how much safer they felt with Bo nearby."

In January 2025, Bo tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), a common orthopedic injury in dogs and had to be retired. Okert, who did not want to work without her buddy, followed suit and retired shortly after.

Bo is now enjoying retirement eating his favorite treat, duck jerky, and receiving endless cuddles from Okert and her husband, who also spent over four decades in law enforcement.

However, he continues to spread joy, visiting Covenant every week as a special guest, as well as other local schools each month.

"He continues to help shy children open up (and) bring smiles to classrooms," American Humane said.

What are the American Humane Hero Dog Awards?

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards is an annual, nationwide competition that recognizes "America’s standout dogs," described as "ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or helping people achieve their goals," American Humane says on its website.

American Humane Hero Dog Awards 2025 finalists

The four other finalists in the competition, as per American Humane, include:

  • K-9 Ultra (Military Dog), a nearly five-year-old German shepherd-Dutch shepherd mix who serves alongside Coast Guard officer Alaina Whitaker in New York City. The two specialize in explosives detection, securing multiple high-profile events including the Boston and Chicago marathons, Super Bowl LIX, and the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
  • Donald (Service Dog), a 6-year-old Labrador retriever in Fort Myers, Florida, who serves as a guide dog for his veteran handler Terry Galgano, allowing her to confidently travel the country and host events
  • Lieutenant Dan (Emerging Hero Dog): Born the runt of his litter with contracted back legs and a severely deformed tail, this 7-year-old Treeing Walker coonhound from Ohio learned to walk on his two front legs and later earned his therapy dog certification.
  • Harrison (Police Dog): a three-year-old Labrador retriever is Caldwell County’s first electronics scent detection (ESD) K-9 and one of only a few certified dogs of his kind in North Carolina. He is specially trained to locate hidden electronic devices and plays an integral role in uncovering digital evidence essential to a wide range of criminal investigations.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sgt. Bo, who comforted students after deadly shooting, wins Hero Dog Awards 2025

Reporting by Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect