Stearns County’s Facility Dog Nova Honored in Minnesota Veterinary Hall of Fame for Groundbreaking Courtroom Comfort

(KNSI) – She might not have the sweet swing like Joe Mauer, but a Stearns County canine is going into a hall of fame of its own.

Stearns County Attorney’s Office Facility Dog Nova was honored with the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Animal Hall of Fame Professional Award. Nova was specially trained to comfort victims of crime, especially children who’ve been abused.

Stearns County Attorney’s Office

In 2023, she became the first facility dog to be allowed to accompany a victim on the witness stand during testimony at a trial in Minnesota. Nova spent almost six hours on the witness stand with a child abuse victim. She remained calm with her head in the child’s lap or letting the child pet her head during testimony.

Since then, Nova has been allowed on the stand with other victims. The dog’s actions have opened a path to using facility dogs in courtrooms across Minnesota.

According to the MVMA, Nova is a professional hero and a trailblazer and exemplifies the strength and value of the human-animal bond. She was inducted into the hall on Saturday.

The MVMA created the Animal Hall of Fame to celebrate the enduring link between animals and people.

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