JOHNSON CITY – (January 27, 2020) The newest member of the East Tennessee State University public safety team arrives in a few weeks and needs just one thing before she gets started: a name.
The newbie is a therapy dog who is part of the Paws & Stripes Comfort Dog Program.
She will be on the ETSU campus in February, and her soon-to-be colleagues are seeking
ideas for a name.
As a therapy dog, she will be available to meet with students when they need a break from the pressures and demands of college. She is not a trained K-9 and will not be assisting police or other law enforcement personnel in any type of arrests or investigations.
“She will be here as a source of support for our students, whether it be during exam times or when someone might be in distress or may just be feeling homesick,” said Captain Mark Tipton. “We do not have a name picked out, and because she will be an active presence on campus, we wanted to turn to the community for some suggestions.”
The animal is being provided to the university from an organization in Orlando, and one of the current ETSU officers is undergoing training to become the dog’s official handler.
Ideas for a name can be submitted to nameourdog@etsu.edu. The deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 3.
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