Project K-9 Hero’s Sgt. Bo Named 2025 American Humane Hero Dog of the Year

LEFT: A student cuddles both Sgt. Bo and a Sgt. Bo stuffed toy. CENTER: Sgt. Bo in his official portrait. RIGHT: Sgt. Bo and Faye Okert attend graduation at The Covenant School.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Project K-9 Hero is thrilled to announce that Program Member #340, Sgt. Bo, has been named the 2025 American Humane Hero Dog of the Year, honoring his extraordinary service as a therapy dog providing comfort and support to children and communities in crisis.

Sgt. Bo’s journey is remarkable. Found as a stray in Florida, he was rescued by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department and trained through their inmate program. Within months, he was on his way to Nashville to begin a career that would touch countless lives.

Assigned to School Resource Officer Faye Okert, Sgt. Bo became a lifeline for children in the aftermath of tragedy. Following the 2023 mass shooting at The Covenant School, he helped traumatized students feel safe during reunification, providing a calm presence and comfort to those who had experienced unimaginable loss.

Over the next two years, Sgt. Bo completed more than 600 school and community visits, earned six AKC therapy dog titles, and was recognized as FHE Health’s First Responder Therapy Dog of the Year. Bo’s work demonstrated the profound impact therapy dogs can have on mental health and community healing.

After a premature return to duty following surgery for a torn ACL, Sgt. Bo was medically retired. Not wanting to continue her duties without Bo, Faye also retired. Without support from the department, the financial burden of medical care fell on Faye and her husband. That’s when Project K-9 Hero stepped in, covering Bo’s ongoing care, surgeries, and medication.

Faye Okert, Bo’s Handler, commented:

“Project K-9 Hero makes it possible for Bo to keep showing up for the kids who love him. They lifted the financial burden from my shoulders. I don’t know how we would have afforded this on our own.”

He continues to serve as a volunteer, bringing joy and reassurance to children and adults alike.

Jason Johnson, Founder and CEO of Project K-9 Hero, commented:

“We at Project K-9 Hero are so incredibly proud of Sgt. Bo. He was previously named the 2025 Therapy Dog of the Year, but he is now the first member of our Pack to bring home the overall Hero Dog of the Year honors from American Humane. Sgt. Bo proudly won this prestigious National Award in the paw steps of the following PK9H Legends:

K-9 Flash the 2018 Law Enforcement Dog of the Year, PK9H Pack Member #001
Sergeant Yeager the 2019 Military Dog of the Year, PK9H Pack Member #022
K-9 Remington the 2020 Search and Rescue Dog of the Year, PK9H Pack Member #041
Staff Sergeant Summer the 2021 Military Dog of the Year, PK9H Pack Member #124

Thank you to all of our PK9H Supporters for helping Sgt. Bo win this much deserved recognition. We as an organization are honored to be helping him in retirement, by covering his medical bills at 100% for the rest of his life.”

Sgt. Bo’s recognition at the 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards® highlights the vital role therapy dogs play in supporting communities in crisis. Project K-9 Hero’s support helps ensure that retired service dogs can live meaningful lives while continuing to impact the people who need them most.

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About Project K-9 Hero: Project K-9 Hero is a nonprofit organization dedicated to covering the costs of medical care, prescription food, end-of-duty, rehabilitation, and rehoming services to our nation’s retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs. Learn more about Project K-9 Hero at www.projectk9hero.org