Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 09, 2025
Sgt. Bo Wins 15th American Humane Hero Dog Award for Nashville Service
TLDR
- Sgt. Bo won the American Humane Hero Dog Awards, gaining national recognition for his therapy work and setting a standard for rescued dogs in public service.
- The American Humane Society selected Sgt. Bo through a nationwide competition with public voting across five dog categories, culminating in a live announcement on the TODAY Show.
- Sgt. Bo's comforting presence during the Covenant School shooting tragedy provided emotional support and safety, demonstrating how animals can heal communities in crisis.
- A rescued stray with skin allergies became a national hero dog, proving that appearances are deceiving while comforting children during their darkest hours.
Impact - Why it Matters
This recognition highlights the profound impact therapy and service dogs have in communities during times of crisis and everyday life. These canine heroes provide emotional support that helps children and adults process trauma, assist individuals with disabilities in navigating daily challenges, and contribute to public safety through specialized detection work. The stories of these dogs demonstrate how animal-human partnerships can transform lives, offering comfort in tragedy and practical assistance that enables people to live more fully. In an era of increasing mental health challenges and complex safety needs, these working dogs represent invaluable resources that strengthen community resilience and human wellbeing.
Summary
The American Humane Society, the country's first national humane organization, has announced Sgt. Bo as the winner of the 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards. This four-year-old mixed breed therapy dog recently retired after years of dedicated service alongside School Resource Officer Faye in Nashville, Tennessee, where he provided comfort to children in crisis situations. The nationwide competition recognizes outstanding dogs across five categories: Therapy Dogs, Service and Guide Dogs, Military Dogs, Law Enforcement and First Responder Dogs, and Shelter Dogs, with hundreds of nominations narrowed down through public voting to five finalists before Sgt. Bo's selection was revealed live on the TODAY Show.
Sgt. Bo's remarkable journey from stray to hero began when he was rescued in Florida in 2022 and paired with Officer Faye, who had advocated for a program training homeless pets as therapy dogs. Despite initial concerns about his scruffy appearance and skin allergies, their bond formed quickly during training, and Sgt. Bo became both a trusted partner and a living lesson to students about looking beyond appearances. His most significant impact came just three months into their partnership during the Covenant School shooting, where he provided crucial emotional support by climbing onto buses, allowing frightened children to rest against him, and maintaining a calming presence during reunions and school drop-offs throughout the community's darkest hours.
The four other finalists honored alongside Sgt. Bo include Donald, a six-year-old Labrador Retriever service dog who protects his visually impaired veteran handler; Harrison, a two-year-old Labrador electronics detection K-9 who helps solve Internet Crimes Against Children cases; K-9 Ultra, a four-year-old Dutch and German Shepherd military detection dog who ensures safety in high-threat environments; and Lieutenant Dan, a seven-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound shelter dog born with severe limb deformities who inspires people of all abilities. All five dogs will be celebrated at the 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards Gala on January 9 in Palm Beach, Florida, with more information available at americanhumane.org.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by Citybiz. Read the original source here, Sgt. Bo Wins 15th American Humane Hero Dog Award for Nashville Service
