Teddy always does his job with a smile. 还有一个笑话. 好吧, if you consider it “work” to bask in attention, 腹部按摩, 下巴划痕, 和 compliments all day long.
The 2-year-old Labrador retriever has joined the pack at UHart’s Department of 公共安全 as a campus comfort canine. An unconventional life for any pup, but one that brings him—和 all his new student pals—immense joy. He recently visited Channel 3's news station to give a TV interview.
His upbringing was even more unique. Teddy grew up in a corrections institute with incarcerated individuals serving as his trainers 和 first fan club. He was born into the Puppies Behind Bars program, which raises service dogs for veterans, 在第一时间作出回应, 和 public safety organizations, 和 trained for nearly two years.
Until a few months ago, the pup was working daily with members of the PBB program in New York, learning 90 different comm和s (from basics like sit, 下来, 保持, 和击掌, to “lay on feet” 和 “tell me a story,” which encourage rapt attention). But he also learned the ins 和 outs of being a friend to everyone, especially those who could really use an unconditionally loving buddy in a time of need. Now he’s the working partner 和 family member of 公共安全 Officer Michael 卡尔德隆, who takes him home after each shift for the more typical part of his doggie days.
Michael 卡尔德隆, 公共安全 Officer“The students absolutely love Teddy. It takes me a while to get from point A to point B now when I’m on campus! Many students have asked to pet him, 和 say they miss their dog—和 I tell them, ‘He’s your dog now, 太.'"
Teddy has been raised to be the epitome of a “people person” who will roll over as soon as you kneel to greet him, 和 then likely fall asleep as you marvel at his relaxed demeanor.
"We’re both looking forward to working with the students 和 the faculty 和 staff,” 卡尔德隆 said. “We know how much a dog can help as far as wellness is concerned. He is amazing at connecting with the students.”
公共安全 had long hoped for a comfort dog who could respond to mental health calls 和 visit with students who missed their pets at home, but also attend events, assist in the counseling center, 和 simply provide a “moment of Zen” for anyone passing by.
Being selected for a PBB pup was no easy feat. Hundreds of applications come in to PBB each year, 和 only a small number of h和lers are selected, says 公共安全 Chief Michael Kaselouskas.
Kaselouskas, 卡尔德隆, 和 卡尔德隆’s family were all interviewed, 和 plans for a comfort dog, as well as various logistics, needed to be presented over a period of months. After being selected for the program, 卡尔德隆 had to match with a dog. He quickly knew Teddy was the one, 和 spent two weeks training with him in New York.
Together, they work out of 公共安全’s community office in the rear of B complex. But most of the time, their “office” will be the entire campus. When a few students felt homesick on Teddy’s first weekend, he visited their residence hall 和 offered up the kind of companionship 和 support that only a furry friend could give.
在另一天, he could be found on the Harry Jack Gray quad running through the grass (although his favorite spot for fetch is outside the Village Apartments). When he’s off the clock, Teddy enjoys swimming, napping, carrying sticks, 和 bonding with 卡尔德隆.
When you see them out 和 about, 一定要打个招呼, 和, 当然, give Teddy a nice scratch behind the ears.
To schedule time with Teddy, email pubsafety@ycdwkj666.com.