Photos: Fun-loving Maggie brightens days and assists victims on UA campus
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Rebecca Sasnett
Photojournalist
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The University of Arizona Police has a new staffer to help with crisis response – a 6-month-old black Labrador retriever named Maggie.
Maggie helps with positive community engagement, the well-being of UAPD staff and emotional support for victims of trauma, said Maggie’s handler, Det. Nicole Nelson.
"I come in at the end of the day when I am kind of grumpy and kind of just tired and ready to go home," said UAPD Sgt. John Nelson. "And here comes Maggie and my whole outlook changes and I walk out the door much happier."
Maggie is still in training for about another six months. After she turns one year old, she will be able to take the Pet Partners Team Evaluation test for certification to become a therapy canine. If she passes, she will become part of Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program.
“I think at a year she will be ready,” said Nelson. “There are a few things she needs to work on but for the most part she has handled everything like a champ.”
Maggie was provided from Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation (SALEF) through a grant.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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Mickell Barney, University of Arizona Police Department crime analyst, plays tug of war with UAPD's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, inside his office at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022. Maggie goes to UAPD everyday with her handler Detective Nicole Nelson and visits officers and staff in the morning. One of her favorites is Barney who has toys in his office to play with Maggie.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, gives kisses to Arizona long snapper Seth Mackellar, 64, during Arizona Footballs spring practice at Dick Tomey Football Practice fields in Tucson, Ariz. on March 30, 2022. As part of Maggie's training, Detective Nicole Nelson, her handler, takes Maggie to events to mingle with people. Maggie and Detective Nelson attended a spring football practice were Maggie got attention from Arizona Football staff, referees and, even, some athletes. Maggie, also, earlier in her training, visited the Arizona Women's Basketball team.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, jumps in the air while playing fetch with her handler Detective Nicole Nelson, right, at Detective Nelson's home in Tucson, Ariz. on March 31, 2022. After training and working in the office and around campus, Maggie gets to play fetch at home with her toys that are spread out around Detective Nelson's backyard.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, licks Sergeant John Nelson's face while visiting with Sgt. Nelson in the hallway at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022. One of Maggie’s roles will include protecting the well-being of UAPD’s first responders and staff as part of the UAPD’s recently created Peer Support Program. “Right now, mental health is really the key issue out there we are dealing with,” said Sergeant Nelson. Which includes calls the department receives as well as the health of the officers. When Sgt. Nelson is having a rough day, his mood changes after he sees Maggie, said Sgt. Nelson. "I come in at the end of the day when I am kind of grumpy and kind of just tired and ready to go home," said Sgt. Nelson, "And here comes Maggie and my whole outlook changes and I walk out the door much happier."
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, goes for a walk around the UA Mall with her handler Detective Nicole Nelson in Tucson, Ariz. on April 13, 2022. Part of Maggies work day is going for a walk around campus to visit with the community as well as practicing her commands and tricks.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, receives attention from Arizona Football athletics training technicians, from left to right, Becca Chapman, Rebecca Larson, Gissell Piña and Hazel Dasse during Arizona Footballs spring practice at Dick Tomey Football Practice fields in Tucson, Ariz. on March 30, 2022. In addition to Maggie's role as an emotional support canine to officers and trauma victims, she is also playing a role in UAPD's community efforts by providing positive interactions between UAPD and the public. Sergeant John Nelson was watching his daughter, Detective Nicole Nelson, who is Maggie's handler, walk Maggie around the UA Mall and watched how the "public just gravitated to her," said Sgt. Nelson.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, keeps her eye on her handler Detective Nicole Nelson while waiting for a command during a training session at The Complete Canine, 4767 N First Ave, in Tucson, Ariz. on March 11, 2022. Maggie has completed her intermediate training class at The Complete Canine and is now taking a tricks class for fun. She has learned the basics such as sitting, laying down, being calm with other dogs around as well as waving, barking when she hears "beardown," shake and more.
Watch Now: UAPD's first Crisis-Response K-9 learns "Beardown" trick
UpdatedUniversity of Arizona Police Department Detective Nicole Nelson teaches UAPD's first Crisis-Response K-9, Maggie, a 6-month Black Labrador Retriever, a new trick. When Detective Nelson says "Beardown," Maggie barks. Video by Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, runs inside after fetching one of her toys outside at her handlers Detective Nicole Nelson's home in Tucson, Ariz. on March 31, 2022. Maggie has tons of toys at home and they are spread through out the house and back yard. She enjoys running outside and then inside, said Detective Nelson.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, plays with one of her toys on a chair inside her handlers Detective Nicole Nelson's office at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022. One of Maggie's many enjoyable mannerisms that is when she sits in peoples chairs, said Raely Keeland, University of Arizona Police Department receptionist. "The fact that she likes to sit in our chairs is cute," said Keeland. "They are Maggie's chairs."
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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Raely Keeland, University of Arizona Police Department receptionist, smiles while petting UAPD's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022. Keeland, who gives carrots to Maggie, enjoys seeing Maggie around the office. "She makes a Monday a lot better," said Keeland.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, plays with officer John Guetersloh inside the hallway at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022. Maggie enjoys another favorite officers of hers, Officer Guetersloh, who plays fetch with her down the hallway when he sees her, said Detective Nicole Nelson, Maggie's handler.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, receives attention from, left to right, Logan Adams, director of orientation and new student services, Melinda Casillas, coordinator of orientation and new student services, and Laura Wester, senior coordinator of orientation and new student services, inside the University of Arizona's Old Main in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, sniffs a football while hanging out with Arizona Football long snappers Kameron Hawkins, left, and Seth Mackellar during Arizona Footballs spring practice at Dick Tomey Football Practice fields in Tucson, Ariz. on March 30, 2022.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, tries to lick Corporal Johnny Lollar face while visiting with Lollar in the hallway at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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Detective Nicole Nelson holds out UAPD's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie's, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, badge at UAPD, 1852 1st St., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 16, 2022.
Maggie, UAPD's new Crisis-Response K-9
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University of Arizona Police Department's first Crisis-Response K-9 Maggie, a 6-month old Black Labrador Retriever, poses for the camera after rolling on her back at her handlers Detective Nicole Nelson's home in Tucson, Ariz. on March 31, 2022.
NewsVu: Photos: UAPD adds first Crisis-Response K-9
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VIEW: To see more photos and a video of Maggie, UAPD’s crisis-response K-9, point your smartphone camera at the QR code and tap the link that appears.
Rebecca Sasnett
Photojournalist
