Zosia, a certified therapy dog known for her time working with the ISUPD, passed away Dec 2.

Originally born in Poland on March 8, 2011, Zosia spent the first five years of her life at Iron Hill Retrievers in Delmar, Iowa. She then became a mother to multiple litters of puppies.

“She was the best mom,” according to an ISUPD Instagram post.

Kinsey Hauser, the mental health advocate supervisor for the ISUPD, later welcomed Zosia into her home and began training to have Zosia certified as a therapy dog. Zosia officially became certified in Oct. 2017.

“I am just so grateful for the time I had with her,” Hauser said. “We got so much more than I ever expected.”

After obtaining her certification, Zosia spent the next two years volunteering at various organizations in the Story County area.

In March 2019, Zosia began her partnership with the ISUPD.

“Zosia was the first therapy dog to work at a police department in the state of Iowa,” according to an ISUPD Instagram post.

Zosia served the ISUPD for five years before her retirement from the position in May 2024.

During her time with the ISUPD, Zosia visited residence halls, classrooms, greeted visitors and new students at orientation, responded to crisis situations, assisted with mental health training and according to Hauser, even taught those with a fear of dogs to accept them.

“I’ve watched multiple people who were nervous around dogs, who had bad experiences with them before, pet her for the first time,” Hauser said. “[They] overcame that fear with her, which was neat to see.”

Zosia’s grandson Zebediah and great-granddaughters Sydni and Lena will now continue her legacy by serving the ISUPD, one day at a time.

“She loved on people so well,” Hauser said. “It didn’t matter who you are, what you’d gone through, she didn’t care. She loved everyone the same.”

Though the ISUPD did not disclose Zosia’s cause of death, they emphasized that she was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing.

For more information on the ISUPD, visit their website.