2-01-2024 8:07am

TU'S OFFICIAL COMFORT

Meet TU’s donor-supported comfort dog

He has brown fur, a wiggly tail and is now named Bruno thanks to an Instagram poll.

A unique name is fitting for this special dog. Drawing from canines’ proven ability to reduce stress and boost morale, he will offer emotional support and companionship as part of TU’s community-oriented approach to public safety. The dog lives and works alongside TUPD patrol officer Jafar Taru, offering a comforting presence at building walk-throughs and calls for service.

“He’s not like traditional K-9s trained to detect substances or aid search and rescue,” says Taru. “His sole focus is to reinforce the wellbeing of our campus community.”

It’s that exact community that helped bring him here. During the 2023 Big Give, more than 115 TU 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 support the dog’s continued care and bring additional canine companions to TU.

In the meantime, our new furry friend will be dishing out the love through cuddles, company and a calming presence.

“He thrives on interaction and wants to snuggle everyone he meets,” Taru says. “I love watching the impact it has as people take a moment to forget about what’s on their mind and enjoy the simple pleasure of a loving dog.”

The dog will be on campus 220 days a year beginning this month. Keep an eye out for him across campus and at special TUPD events.

Each of the four name options for TU’s canine comfort companion has a special connection to our campus or culture. Names considered:

Ty – To recognize all the past and present Tigers who helped bring our comfort dog to campus
Chap – To honor TU’s inaugural Dean of Minority Affairs, Julius Chapman
Bruno – The name option provided by the dog’s handler, TUPD Corporal Jafar Taru
Goldie – To recognize our TU colors, and in remembrance of the beloved family dog of key canine comfort companion fund donor Brian DeFilippis.
Emotional Support Animals
Under the Fair Housing Act, a student with a disability may request an emotional support animal (ESA) in university housing as an accommodation if needed to provide the student with an equal opportunity to enjoy and use their residential dwelling.
An emotional support animal (also known as a “comfort animal” or “therapy animal”) provides emotional support and comfort to a student with a therapeutic need for the animal. An ESA does not need to be trained to provide a specific task and is not considered a service animal. Because of the therapeutic nature of an ESA, this animal is not considered a pet. An ESA is a housing accommodation and, as such, is to be kept in the student’s residence hall and is not allowed to accompany the student into other campus buildings.