A crime-busting pooch has enjoyed her ninth Christmas with family after fears she wouldn’t make it to the festive season.
Nova, who turns nine next month, served in the police alongside her handler Heather Potter for seven years. But the Belgian Malinois took unwell just months after her retirement in August.
The dog’s health rapidly started to deteriorate. Heather and her family feared that Nova might not live to see another Christmas.
Speaking with our sister title, Glasgow Live, she said: “In the November, she just wasn’t really herself for a couple of days. She wasn’t really eating the same as she normally does, she’s normally a very greedy dog.
“Then over the next day or two I noticed that she just started to go a wee bit downhill, so I just took her to the vets and by the time I got her there she had really deteriorated. She’s normally quite a feisty dog, but she had become very sedate.”
Nova was diagnosed with acute hepatitis – a lengthy and expensive treatment that also required her to stay as an in-patient at the veterinary hospital for nine days. Worried about the potential cost of treatment, Heather contacted National Foundation for Retired Service Animals charity who financially support retired dogs that have worked in the police, fire, prison, border force, National Crime Agency, and NHS.
The charity was set up to help retired service animals whose owners struggle to find affordable insurance – leaving them facing the risk of huge vet bills if they become ill. Heather registered Nova as soon as she retired and applied for a grant to help with her vet bills.
She was awarded over £4,200 – the charity’s maximum level of assistance which is to cover 90% of the final costs. She said: “Just hearing that the charity was there to support us with the bills, because obviously they are extensive with the level of treatment she required and the time that she had to stay in the vets as well, was a life-saver for us. The bills were just racking up and up and up.
“Knowing that I had their support, it just made everything less stressful. It is just such a fantastic charity. I really can’t say enough about how wonderful they’ve been. It wasn’t just the money, but the fact they were with us, offering moral support too, it was such a comfort.
“Nova obviously means the world to me, more than just a pet, she was also my partner for years. To think that she wasn’t going to get any kind of retirement to save her life was incredibly frightening, the charity have obviously helped with being able to allow me to make sure she gets better, and we’ve been able to get her home for holidays. It’s a Christmas miracle.”
The NFRSA launched in 2022 at the National Police Dog Trials at Cirencester Park, the home of the charity’s founder, The Countess Bathurst. It has already gifted over £110,000 to animals from the six services.
Countess Bathurst said: “What a wonderful present for Heather and Nova to have this beautiful girl home for Christmas! As soon as Heather contacted us, we knew it was very serious and we immediately offered her reassurance.
“The assistance we give is not just financial, but also emotional. When an emergency such as this arises, it is a time of huge stress for owners, so we always accompany the families side by side throughout the journey, rejoicing when an animal turns a corner, or offering comfort if the unthinkable happens.
“It’s the least we can do when these heroic animals have given us so much during their careers. The NFRSA’s motto is ‘Protect Our Protectors’ and that’s exactly what we have done for Nova.
“We couldn’t be happier Nova is where she belongs this Christmas, with her family, and she can now look forward to a wonderful and above all healthy New Year.”
Nova has now been able to enjoy the big day with her family – getting spoilt around the Christmas Tree with festive treats.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.