By Payton Tholstrup

Photos courtesy of Geary County Sheriff’s Office

On Friday, January 30th, a retirement ceremony was held for K-9 Nova of the Geary County Sheriff’s Office.

The department shared some of Nova’s journey on their Facebook page.

The German Shepherd was rescued by the Junction City Animal Shelter after suffering severe abuse and neglect; when found, she was malnourished and had wounds covering her mouth and snout.

Despite these challenges, Nova remained in good spirits and went onto join the sheriff’s department in 2018. The name Nova, which is Latin for “new”, became a representation of the new life and purpose she found in the department.

Nova trained alongside her partner and handler, Lt. Stopper (now Undersheriff Stopper) eventually becoming certified in detection, tracking, and evidence work in March of 2019.

“With her loving and cheerful temperament, Nova quickly became a favorite within the department and the community. Her gentle nature also made her an ideal K-9 for locating lost or missing children and elderly individuals, bringing comfort during stressful situations,” the department shared on Facebook.

Nova’s retirement ends a remarkable career, leaving a lasting impact on both the department and the community she served.

“Instead of sniffing out drugs or tracking down missing people and items, her days will now be filled with sniffing out treats and piling on the couch with her family,” the department said.