Meet Nash: UCSF’s first therapy dog & a very good boy

By Kim Jarboe LaPean, UCSF

UCSF Police Officer Steven Carter is the caretaker of Nash, the campus’s first therapy dog. He recently shared insights into his four-legged partner and the work they do together.

Tell us about Nash and his new role at UCSF.

‌Nash is UCSF’s first therapy dog, and his primary focus is community outreach and visiting with patients in the children’s hospital. At 18 months old, he is still in training, but will be officially sworn in later in June. We’re excited to get him out in public and see the reaction from everyone.

What kind of interactions does Nash have in outreach events?

Giving a lot of love. Nash is a lover, he’s a cuddler, he wants to give kisses, and receive lots of pets, and put a smile on people’s faces, especially the kids. Parents have shared that Nash’s visits to the children’s hospital bring out the biggest smiles they’ve seen on their child in months. That’s what this is all about. Our long-term plans are to have more than one dog at UCSF.

Staff love being around Nash, too. What do your colleagues think?

He absolutely loves going into dispatch, and he sits in briefings with us. It’s neat to see the other officers let their guard down and open up to his love. He does get to nap on duty, unlike the rest of us. Part of my responsibility as Nash’s caretaker is learning his body language and when he needs a break. It can be emotionally or mentally draining, visiting with kids and being in that type of setting, so I keep my eye on him and figure out when is a good time to give him a little bit of rest and play. He needs time to just be a dog, too. Officers carry all these things that we refer to as tools, and it’s easy to think of Nash as a tool, and he is in a sense, but my camera doesn’t have feelings, and he does, so I keep that in mind.  

Can you share any fun facts about Nash?  

‌Nash’s half-sister Cali is at UC Davis and his full sister is Sandi at UC San Diego. San Diego has two therapy dogs now, the other one is named Diego, so Sandi and Diego.  

Also, Nash loves to swim. It’s probably his favorite activity. Within 10 minutes of getting him home for the first time, he was in the pool. The trainer said in another life, he could have been a diving, long-jump athlete. 

What’s your favorite cookie jar treat?

I prefer ice cream; my favorite was from Three Twins, which sadly went out of business. 

Nash loves dog treats, but his favorite treats are the food scraps my 10-month-old throws on the floor.