From Stray to Guardian: Sgt. Bo’s Story of Healing

Summary

---

Robin's Nest – From Stray to Guardian: Sgt. Bo’s Story of Healing (January 20, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, host Dr. Robin Ganzert welcomes Fay Okert and her remarkable dog, Sgt. Bo, the 2025 American Humane Hero Dog Award winner. From wandering the streets as a stray to comforting a community in the aftermath of tragedy, Sgt. Bo’s story is a moving testament to the power of second chances, the healing impact of therapy dogs, and the profound human-animal bond. Fay and Dr. Ganzert discuss Sgt. Bo's transformation, their service to the Nashville community, and the enduring lessons learned from their extraordinary partnership.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Sgt. Bo’s Journey: From Stray to Hero

• Origins in Cocoa Beach

  • Sgt. Bo was found wandering as a stray in Cocoa Beach, FL, in September 2022, suffering from a skin condition.
  • Placed in Brevard County Animal Shelter's "Paws and Stripes" program, where inmates and dogs help each other heal.
  • Sheriff Wayne Ivey, known for his commitment to animal welfare, oversees the program.
  • “[Sheriff Ivey] runs a program for 12 weeks where inmates take care of the dogs. And the reality is the dogs take care of the inmates as well.” – Fay Okert (02:18)

• The Unexpected Match

  • Fay, a 34-year police veteran, had requested a female, short-haired dog, but was paired with Bo instead.
  • At first, Fay worried Bo's appearance might draw ridicule, but a trainer insisted, “No, he’s going back to Nashville.”
  • This led Fay to reflect with children about the dangers of judging by appearance:
    • “Don’t treat somebody bad or don’t judge somebody because they look different from you…give them a chance because I didn’t…look at what I would have lost.” – Fay Okert (06:00)

• Multifaceted Breed, Unmistakable Goodness

  • DNA test reveals Bo is part pit, golden retriever, poodle, and a mysterious 8%.
  • “He is 100% good boy, and that’s why he wears the vest that says ‘100% good boy.’” – Fay Okert (07:31)

Therapy Work in Nashville Schools

• Fay’s Career and Retirement

  • Served with Metro Nashville Police Department from 1991, including 18 years as a School Resource Officer.
  • Retired in June with Sgt. Bo; now both volunteer their time.

• Impact on Students and Staff

  • Bo worked alongside Fay, comforting students and staff experiencing trauma and stress.
  • Fay highlights how seeing Bo’s effect on others gave her a new perspective:
    • “I spent the last three years seeing the job from a different viewpoint because I get to see at the other end of the leash what he does for people.” – Fay Okert (04:10)

The Covenant School Shooting: Sgt. Bo’s Defining Moment

• First Crisis Response ([08:57] – [13:49])
  • Within three months of joining Fay, Bo responded to the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville.
  • He joined children on school buses as they faced unimaginable trauma, providing immediate comfort.
  • “He walked right up on the bus like a trooper, like he had done it every day. …You could just feel the tension…change when he got on there.” – Fay Okert (09:20)
  • Bo and Fay stayed all day, from greeting each child and staff member to being there until the last person had gone home.
  • Memorable parent feedback: “Their child didn’t come home and talk about what happened…their child came home talking about this dog named Sergeant Bo.” – Fay Okert (12:10)
  • Bo and Fay made it their mission to continue supporting the school community, remaining present long after the tragedy.

Lessons of Second Chances and Compassion

• Teaching Through Example

  • Bo’s journey is used to teach children about acceptance, kindness, and not judging others.
  • “Second chances are so important. Adults get to learn. Second chances are so important, especially for dogs.” – Fay Okert (06:32)

• Broadening the Mission

  • They now regularly visit schools and have expanded outreach to nursing homes, including on Christmas Day, to offer comfort to the elderly.

What Sets Therapy Dogs Apart

• Therapy vs. Service Dogs ([16:29] – [17:54])
  • Dr. Ganzert distinguishes between therapy and service dogs:
    • Service dogs assist one person with specific needs; therapy dogs, like Bo, impact whole communities, providing universal comfort.
  • “Therapy dogs such as Sergeant Bo, they work for everyone else where they just give unconditionally to all groups and show the healing power of the human-animal bond.” – Dr. Robin Ganzert (17:12)

Continuing the Mission & Future Plans

• In Progress: Children’s Book

  • Fay is working on a book sharing Bo’s lessons for kids: empathy, second chances, and not judging by looks.

• Bo’s “Superpower”

  • The special gift is “the gift of comfort.” Bo intuitively senses who needs him, when, and in what way.
    • “He reads a room…if you’re sad, he’s going to lay down with you...he knows what people need, and it’s a great gift.” – Fay Okert (18:22)

---

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On First Impressions:

  • “This is an ugly dog. I am not taking him. But people are going to make fun of me.” – Fay Okert, reflecting on her initial reaction (05:04)
  • “Look at what I would have lost.” – Fay Okert, on giving second chances (06:15)

• On Trauma Response:

  • “You get on the bus and you could just feel the tension… and it changed when he got on there.” – Fay Okert (09:20)
  • “We stayed until the very last person left the church.” – Fay Okert (11:37)
  • “It was a job for us. It didn’t know anybody. …Now, they’re family, and we’ve become part of their family.” – Fay Okert (12:49)

• On the Human-Animal Bond:

  • “All dogs…just shows…what a stray mutt…can be the best therapy dogs around.” – Fay Okert (16:11)
  • “It’s not always about the haircut or the looks. …It’s also about this power we have, this connection we have with animals in our lives.” – Dr. Robin Ganzert (14:16)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Origins & Paws and Stripes Program: 01:39–02:40
• Fay’s Police Career & School Resource Work: 03:28–04:34
• First Meeting with Bo & Lessons on Second Chances: 04:56–06:44
• Bo’s Breed & Heart: 07:10–07:31
• Covenant School Shooting Response: 08:57–13:49
• Therapy vs. Service Dogs Explained: 16:29–17:54
• Bo’s Superpower – The Gift of Comfort: 18:20–18:50

---

Conclusion

This episode delivers a poignant portrait of resilience, hope, and healing through the story of a once-unwanted stray transformed into a community’s guardian angel. Not only is Sgt. Bo a testament to the immense potential of shelter dogs, but his story with Fay Okert exemplifies how kindness and the human-animal bond can change, and even save, lives.

---

Transcript

[A]

Today we're honored to share the story of a true four legged hero, Sergeant Bo, the 2025American Humane Hero Dog award.

[B]

Winner, and his devoted handler, Fay Okert.

[A]

A therapy dog retired from the Metro Nashville Police Department. Sergeant Bo has touched countless lives through.

[B]

His calm presence, his gentle spirit, and unwavering compassion. Once astray, he's gone on to serve.

[A]

Children and adults in moments when comfort mattered most. Being named this year's American Humane Hero Dog is a powerful testament to the impact Sergeant Bo has made in his community and beyond. We are so grateful to celebrate both Sergeant Bo and Faye on this episode of Robin's Nest.

[B]

Welcome to Robin's Nest. Many of us feel a deep bond with animals, from the pets we cherish at home to the endangered species in nature. Join us for lively, informative conversations where together we will build a more humane world.

[A]

Faye, welcome. Welcome to our American Humane sanctuary. And you're here with Sergeant Bo, the.

[C]

2025American Humane Hero Dog. Congratulations.

[D]

Thank you. And thank you for having us and all that you do for the hero dogs and other animals around the world.

[A]

Oh, well, Faye, it's our privilege and our honor, but we are so proud to tell today Sergeant Bo's amazing, amazing story. Could you walk us through where he's.

[C]

From and how he got into your incredible hands?

[D]

So Sergeant Bo was roaming the streets of Cocoa beach September of 2022. Had a little bit of a skin disease, by the way.

[C]

Cocoa beach, for those Floridians, you know.

[A]

That was the home of I Dream.

[C]

Of Jeannie way back in the day. Am I right?

[D]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

Cocoa beach, the home of the astronauts.

[D]

He kind of liked his time on the beach, I think, I'm sure. So he was picked up and taken to Brevard County Animal Shelter. And there, there's a program called Paws and Stripes. You know, Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

[A]

Sheriff Wayne Ivey, by the way, for those of you that don't know Brevard county, he's a hero, he's a legend, and he is a great animal lover. So a huge shout out today to Sheriff Wayne. Wayne Ivy.

[D]

That's the reason we have him. He runs a program for 12 weeks where inmates take care of the dogs. And the reality is the dogs take care of the inmates as well. It gives them something to love and to care for. And then we had 12 weeks we tested out with him and he went back to Nashville as a therapy dog. We were a therapy dog team for the Metro Nashville Police Department, and that's how we got started.

[A]

Well, I have to Say, what an amazing program and first of all, to hear prisoners being able to share in the healing power of the human animal bond. I give Sheriff Wayne Ivey and all sheriffs around the country a great show. Shout out and kudos because what an incredible way to give someone a chance to heal and it also gives a second chance for a dog. So it's a win, win on all levels. But there's even more of a story here, friends, that just gets me every single time. But before we get to the story of one of Sergeant Bo's superpowers and amazing tales of why he's America's top hero dog, I have to ask a little bit about you, Faye.

[C]

Tell me who you are and what you've been doing.

[D]

So I started with the Metro Nashville police department in 1991 as a police officer. So I worked 34 and a half years before finally him and I retired together in June. Well, I say retired. We're both doing the same thing we were doing, only now we're just volunteering to do it. So, Yeah, I spent 34 and a half years on the police department.

[A]

Thank you for your service.

[D]

The best part of it was having him. 18 years was spent in schools as a school resource officer with kids. And then the last three we roamed around the schools and helped countless, countless kids. Not even kids. It's staff members that we helped. I think I spent the last three years seeing the job from a different viewpoint because I get to see at the other end of the leash what he does for people, you know, so I'm proud of him. But then you look at people that come towards him to start their day or when they're having problems. Kids that, you know, kids have all kinds of trauma and stress nowadays.

[A]

They do, they do.

[D]

And he just changes their world. And I get to see that from a different point of view. So that was Definitely the best three years of my police. 34 year career.

[A]

34 year career as a police officer. So much of that spent in schools with kiddos and you've seen kiddos face huge trauma. But let me go back to the incredible story of when you first saw and met your new partner, Sergeant Bo.

[C]

Take us back to that day.

[D]

So you don't get a choice of what dog you get. You send him a preference. And so I said I wanted a female short haired dog. Well, as you can tell, they didn't pay any attention to me, I guess. So the week before I came to Florida to pick him up and to train with him, they send me a Picture of this dog. I love him to death, don't get me wrong. And I cried. I'm like, people are going to make fun of me when I get out of a police car. This is an ugly dog. I am not taking him. But people are going to make fun of me. So I come to Florida and he makes me pay for this. I come to Florida and I asked the trainer, I said, I'm not taking him. I asked for a female short haired dog. People will make fun of me. She said no. She said, he's going back to, he's going back to Nashville.

[C]

He's going to be going to Tennessee.

[D]

Definitely a God thing. I mean, because she could have very easily given me another dog.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

And you know, she said, no, he's going back to Nashville. And never understood that. But it's a great lesson. We've learned great lessons. We're able to teach, we're able to teach kids. So that's one of the big selling points when I talk to kids is so many kids mistreat other kids because they're different looking or because they're new. And I tell them, you know, don't, don't treat somebody bad or don't judge somebody because they look different from you or they look different from me or they talk different. You know, give them a chance because I didn't, you know, I was, look at what I would have lost.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Had they not said no, he's going back to Nashville. So it's a great, it's been a great learning lesson for kids. You know, he's been a great lesson because kids get to learn. Second chances are real.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Second chances are so important. Adults get to learn. Second chances are so important, especially for dogs, that through no fault of their own, they're in shelters, you know, they're being euthanized and stuff, or they're walking.

[A]

Through Cocoa beach as a stray.

[D]

Yep. With no interest. Now he had no interest of adoption. And that's why Sergeant Ivy and him took him into the program.

[A]

Sheriff Ivy took him into the program. I want to just say, first of all, as we look at Sergeant Bo, I think he's so stinking cute.

[C]

He's so stinking cute. You know, I just think he's adorable.

[A]

But he is a mixed breed. And I know people are going to say, what is in him?

[C]

Can you share with us what is in his gorgeous beauty?

[D]

And I think he's beautiful now too.

[C]

Yes.

[D]

Yeah. We did a DNA test on him. He's part pit, part golden retriever, part poodle. And 8%, they couldn't identify.

[C]

8% couldn't identify.

[D]

He's a little bit of everything.

[C]

8% supernatural powers is what he is.

[D]

He is 100% good boy. And that's why he wears the vest that says 100% good boy.

[C]

I want to make sure we get this because that's really important because he.

[A]

Is 100% good boy.

[D]

And now he wears a medal he got.

[C]

Now he's the hero dog winner, too.

[A]

I wanted to step back too, because that was a. It's a big story that you have to tell. And, and the story so far before we share with our listeners what else is already a hero dog story. You know, first of all, you are a hero as a police officer serving your great community, then going in and serving in the schools where we know kids are traumatized. It's a very different environment today in a school than it was when I was being raised and you were being raised.

[D]

Absolutely.

[C]

And then of course, you know, you're.

[A]

Going to be partnered with the dog. You see him, he's not exactly what.

[C]

You looked for, but you got him.

[A]

Anyway because she said he's going back home with you, the trainer.

[D]

She did.

[A]

And then you're going to take him to schools and he's already got a second chance story. So I just love, I love the love of this and right there, that's the whole mission of the Euro Dog Awards. But there's something else, friends, that you must hear. And this goes into the heart of what makes this dog and this woman so special to me. And be prepared, have a tissue route because I want Faye to tell us the story of the Covenant School shooting tragedy.

[D]

So he came to work for us January of 2023. So I'd had him three months when on March 2027 of 2023, we had a shooting school shooting in Nashville at the Covenant School. We had not been there prior. So we heard the call, well, we heard the call go out. Everybody starts that way. And we knew that we would be somewhere. So we went and waited until we figured out where the kids were going. And so they asked us as soon as the buses arrived at the church where the kids were going to be reunited, they asked us to get on the school buses. So you can imagine, I'm like, I've had the dog three months. He was only six months off of, of being astray on the streets. That in itself shows that it doesn't take a lot of training. It doesn't take, it takes the basics. And a dog that can Love. So when the buses got there, we get on the buses with the kids and he walked right up on the bus like a trooper, like he had done it every day. And you instantly could see the kids direction towards him and you could just feel the tension when you got on the bus and it changed when he got on there. So we explained to him what was going on and we actually had smiles, if you can believe that after what they had been through and a horrific.

[A]

School shooting, too many children have faced three.

[D]

Three. Three died that day. Three children died and three adults died that day.

[A]

Six people lost their lives.

[D]

Yep. So we once we got off the buses, we actually made it to the. Into the building where the kids were going to come in before the kids and ever. Before the kids ever got there. And so we greeted each and every kid, each and every student, they got off the bus. And staff members, we kind of forget about the staff sometimes.

[A]

Can't forget about the staff always.

[D]

They're the heartbeat.

[A]

They're the heartbeat.

[D]

People always say the police were the heroes that day. No, the staff was the hero that day because they're the ones that kept more the numbers down because they did what they needed to do. So every. Everybody greeted them and we spent the rest of the afternoon and it seemed like it was forever in the room with the kids and they were all divided up into classes and grades. And we walked around and he'd lay down with a group of kids and he had trading cards and there was probably kids that had six or seven of them because they'd come back and get more and more. And I have pictures where, I mean, they just laid on top of him. It's amazing what he did that day. I remember one teacher coming up and we had sat with a student and she said, oh, he needed that so much now. I don't know why, because she didn't say that, because they all needed it. Then we had one student, they came and got me and they said, can you come and sit with our friends? She's really upset and she couldn't find her sister. So he did an amazing job that day and so did you. I give him the credit though. Of course I did him the credit. We didn't stop. I didn't realize it until afterwards. I got to thinking about it. We never took a break. I gave him some water and we stayed for hours. We stayed until the very last person left the church. It wasn't until the last student was gone that you could. I couldn't tell who was staff and who was Students, I didn't know anybody. And when the kids were gone, you could tell then who the staff was. So we stayed for them and their families and until the last person. And then I had made a promise that when they went back to school that we would be there. And we were. When they come back, they were going back to a church because they obviously couldn't go back into their building. And I knew the impact we made because we were standing there waiting for the kids, and they were getting out of the car, and they were coming up to him, calling him by name and hugging him. And I'm like, you just went through what you went through, but you remember a dog's name? Of course, you know, and then I had parents getting out of the car, and they were telling me that. They were telling me that their child didn't come home and talk about what happened that day. Their child came home talking about this dog named Sergeant Bowe. And they were all happy to meet Sergeant Bo. So we. We've kind of made it. We made it our mission. We go back some weeks, but we started out, it was a few times a week, but even now, we're not with the police department. We drive about an hour each week to. To make sure we go each week. And because I know on the first year's anniversary, it was the day of. It was a job. It was a job for us. It didn't know anybody. Sure, you know, it's hard, but now it's not a job. They're family, and we've become part of their family. And you just can't ask for a better relationship with kids than a dog. And the things that he did that day, I mean, when we talk about unconditional love and the love that he showed them, and then I have to sit and think that six months prior to that, he was roaming the streets. Three months prior to that, he came to work after being with inmates for 12 weeks.

[A]

You know, you said it was a God thing. That trainer said, you're going home together.

[D]

I believe that he was on the.

[A]

Street six months before this incredible hero opportunity for him to serve. But you know, what Sergeant Bowe is, is the best of the human animal bond. You have a story of second chances for prisoners and for this precious creature. You have a lesson in. It's not always about the haircut or the looks.

[D]

Right.

[C]

Because his hair, I mean, it's kind of fun over here. I love the hairdo.

[A]

It's also about this power we have, this connection we have with animals in our lives. And I just love that you've touched, you both have touched so many children in such a positive way after facing the most unimaginable tragedy and the loss of their own security and safety. And you brought them that sense back and so did Sergeant Vo. It's one of the most powerful stories we've had in all of our years of hero dogs. We have 15 years now of hero dogs that we have celebrated this one. It just gets me every single time. Say, you are a hero. Congratulations. And we. What are you and Sergeant Bo going to do next?

[D]

Oh, you know, we're working on a children's book.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

And with that children's book, once I find somebody that can help me, because that's not in my wheelhouse. I want the lessons, the lessons that you learn from, for kids about second chances and so important, about love, you know, show a little love goes a long, long way in this world. And then about not judging a book by the COVID and how important that is. And we still visit. I mean, honestly, we're looking Christmas Day, we actually change, changed up how we do Christmas. And I took him to a nursing home.

[A]

Oh, I love that.

[D]

And we had never been. And it was, we didn't have much to do, so I said, let's do something different. And we took him to a nursing home. And I remember in it I had a lady that said, can you put him in the bed with me? And sure. So I put him up in the bed and I have a picture where her hands are here and from the backside. And I'm like, you know, he does it with everybody.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

You know, and, and all dogs. You look at the stories of all of these dogs.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

You know, it just shows. Thank you for spotlighting what a stray mutt. You don't have to have this breed. You don't have to have years of training. You can take these shelter dogs that need homes and they're going to give you all the love and they can be the best therapy dogs around.

[A]

It's exactly right.

[D]

So.

[A]

And as a therapy dog, friends, it's different than a service dog. Service dogs have different sets of requirements and the service dog provides service to one individual. And you'll meet our award winning our hero dog in the service category soon. And we have a number of service dogs we've celebrated and honored over the years. You see service dogs for wounded warriors facing PTS and tbi like our Pups for Patriots program where we provide service dogs free of charge, of course, to veterans facing those invisible wounds of war. You see Service dogs for people who are hearing, afflicted or who are blind. You see service dogs for people facing a diagnosis of, you know, all sorts of different categories of there's diabetes, service dogs that can indicate certain levels of insulin and really help save lives. Service dogs work for that one person. Therapy dogs such as Sergeant Bow, they work for everyone else where they just give unconditionally to all groups and show the healing power of the human animal bond. And that's a different kind of training, a different kind of category to celebrate of special working dogs. And in this case, this is America's top hero dog for this year. Faye, Congratulations, Sergeant Bowe. I just think you're so gorgeous.

[C]

You could have come home with me any day, that's for sure. But I'm glad you went home with.

[A]

Fay and I'm glad you made such a difference.

[D]

I get a call from that trainer periodically that after he won and says, what about that ugly dog you didn't want?

[C]

So how about the little I told you so there on that one?

[D]

He has a gift. He has a gift of knowing what people need. And I don't know how you know, only he knows that. But he doesn't push himself. He just has a great gift to know what you need when you need it.

[A]

So what is Sergeant Bo's superpower?

[D]

The gift of comfort. There's no doubt that he. He reads a room, he can walk into a room, and if you're sad, he's going to lay down with you. He's going to give you time. He's not going to push himself on you. Like there's been kids kicking walls and stuff. He doesn't push his stuff. He just stands there and waits. You know, people that are happy, he's going to. He might play around just a little bit with them. He knows what people need and it's a great gift.

[A]

The gift of comfort. There's nothing better.

[D]

Gift of comfort.

[A]

Well, Faye, thank you for being here in Robin's Nest.

[C]

For you.

[D]

Thank you for having us.

[A]

And congratulations, Sergeant Bo.

[B]

Thank you for tuning in to Robin's Nest. We want to hear what you think. Please make sure to review the podcast on your podcast platform. Watch for upcoming episodes that will include new and exciting discussions. If you love animals, you'll love this season of Robin's Nest.

[D]

Sam.