撸先生

By Pamela Gorsuch on January 30, 2024

He has brown fur, a wiggly tail and no name鈥攜et.
 
Voting opens today for the name of 撸先生鈥檚 first-ever comfort dog, a trained companion who will serve up cuddles and connection to students, faculty and staff. Tigers can vote for one of four name options on stories today. The options reference special parts of 撸先生鈥檚 campus or culture.
 
A unique name is fitting for this special dog. Drawing from canines鈥� proven ability to reduce stress and boost morale, he will offer emotional support and companionship as part of 撸先生鈥檚 community-oriented approach to public safety. The dog lives and works alongside 撸先生PD patrol officer Jafar Taru, offering a comforting presence at building walk-throughs and calls for service. 
 
鈥淗e鈥檚 not like traditional K-9s trained to detect substances or aid search and rescue,鈥� says Taru. 鈥淗is sole focus is to reinforce the wellbeing of our campus community.鈥� 
 
It鈥檚 that exact community that helped bring him here. During the 2023 Big Give, more than 115 撸先生 students, faculty, staff and alumni donated funds to provide the training, food and veterinarian care necessary to have a dedicated comfort dog on campus. Donations remain open to and bring additional canine companions to 撸先生.
 
In the meantime, our new furry friend will be dishing out the love through cuddles, company and a calming presence.
 
鈥淗e thrives on interaction and wants to snuggle everyone he meets,鈥� Taru says. 鈥淚 love watching the impact it has as people take a moment to forget about what鈥檚 on their mind and enjoy the simple pleasure of a loving dog.鈥� 
 
The dog will be on campus 220 days a year beginning this month. Keep an eye out for him across campus and at special 撸先生PD events. 

Update: Bruno it is! Voting for the comfort dog鈥檚 name culminated the morning of Jan. 31 with the campus community choosing the name option provided by the dog鈥檚 handler. Thanks to all those who participated in the naming process.