The Santa Cruz Police Department announced Friday the addition of its first therapy dog to the K-9 unit, welcoming a Labrador retriever named Nova to support officer and community wellness.
K9 Nova joined the department in February and is trained to help reduce stress and ease anxiety following critical incidents involving employees, victims, and witnesses, police said.
According to SCPD, they named the dog Nova after the term “nova,” meaning a “sudden large increase in brightness,” which reflects the department’s hope that K9 Nova will bring comfort and warmth to those she meets.
Police Chief Bernie Escalante called the addition a milestone for the department, saying employee wellness is a priority, and the therapy dog will benefit both staff and the broader community.
Funding for Nova’s purchase and certification was provided by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County through donations from local supporters.
Department officials said they plan to continue expanding the program to serve the city.