Campus & Beyond These Big Red Volunteers Have Warm Hearts—and Wet Noses Stories You May Like Anchors Aweigh: Big Red Names Graced WWII-Era Hulls Big Red in the Big Apple: Legendary Sy Katz ’31 Parade is Back Meet the Sophomore Who’s a Culinary Phenom For more than 25 years, the canines (and other critters) of Cornell Companions have been bringing joy to the community By Melissa Newcomb Piper prepares for another day on the job by getting dressed in her finery: a chunky strand of faux pearls around her neck and a light pink bow adorning her thick black-and-white hair. A veteran in her field, Piper has worked at a variety of locations over the years, including nursing homes and libraries. Today, she’s on duty in the Vet College atrium. Piper—who, for the record, is a nine-year-old Shih Tzu—hops onto a student’s lap, lies down, and makes herself comfortable. She’ll spend the next hour working at Popcorn & Pups, an occasional event in which students, faculty, and staff can drop by for a snack—and, more importantly, some de-stressing time with more than a half-dozen dogs from Cornell Companions, a University-based volunteer group. Piper snuggles up with Ana Duke ’26. “I’m so happy,” says Ana Duke ’26, a biology major in CALS, gazing down at Piper cuddled up on her lap. Duke was passing through the atrium after class when she stopped to join the group of happy people (and equally happy dogs). “This was such a pleasant surprise,” she says. “I’m in no rush to move from this spot.” For more than a quarter-century, Cornell Companions has organized campus and community outings featuring well-behaved pets and their owners. Ryan Young / Cornell UniversityToka, an Akita, soaks up attention. They offer comfort and company in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, and facilities for children and adults with disabilities. Currently boasting more than 60 owner-pet teams—mainly dogs, but also a cat, two llamas, a goat, a cockatoo, and even an owl—the group made some 250 visits in 2023. Furry fun for dogs and humans alike. On top of organized events, members occasionally take small group walks around campus with their Companions pets in training—helping to socialize the animals and get them accustomed to stimuli by going onto the quads, into buildings, on and off elevators, and more. (This can sometimes resulting in the head-turning sight of a leashed llama strolling down Tower Road.) “The animals really meet people where they are,” says local resident Karen Howarth, Piper’s owner. “It’s amazing the impact they have.” The animals really meet people where they are. It's amazing the impact they have. Companions member Karen Howarth Regular attendees at events like Popcorn & Pups know many of the dogs by name—particularly Gus, a three-year-old golden retriever belonging to the group’s director, Janet Gray ’88. “His favorite thing in the world is getting attention,” Gray, a University retiree and CALS alum who runs her own boarding kennel, says as she watches a (seemingly) grinning Gus surrounded by a throng of eager petters. A crowd-pleasing canine conclave. Cornell Companions was founded in 1997 by Jennifer Matlow, DVM ’00, then a second-year vet student. Stories You May Like Anchors Aweigh: Big Red Names Graced WWII-Era Hulls Big Red in the Big Apple: Legendary Sy Katz ’31 Parade is Back She was inspired, in part, by a TV show about prison inmates who train dogs—benefitting both the animals and their own mental and emotional health. Avery: A small pup who brings big joy. Companions started as a small group—including Matlow and her dog Samantha, a black Lab and coonhound mix—who’d visit schools, hospitals, and senior living facilities. “Most veterinary students show up to school with at least one dog in tow,” says Matlow, now a board-certified veterinary pathologist in Michigan. “So we have a large mass of dogs that are generally friendly and trained, and owners who know that they can help people.” The group has since grown not only larger (and with a diversity of species), but has branched out to include animal-assisted therapy. For instance, Gray's previous golden—Finn, who has since passed away—helped people who've suffered brain damage or stroke improve their mobility by sitting next to them as they practiced reaching out and petting him. “Interacting with the dogs is a good way to relax,” says Keshika Gopinathan, a master’s student in the Vet College who has attended several Companions events. “It’s also nice to see students and professors socializing together.” All hands on deck for Maui, a flat-coated retriever. To join the group, human members—which include local residents as well as University faculty, staff, and students—take a training course, and their animals undergo a series of tests to ensure that they’re a good fit. Behavioral requirements include walking well on a leash, sitting for long periods, and not reacting to other animals. Pets are also tested in a variety of situations that mimic issues that they may face on the job, like hearing loud noises or having their tail pulled or face touched. Interacting with the dogs is a good way to relax. Master's student Keshika Gopinathan Back in the Vet College atrium, visitors are admiring Doyle, a 170-pounder—part great Dane, part Irish wolfhound—whose owner describes him as a “gentle giant.” In addition to volunteering with Companions, retired Cornell vet Richard Hackett takes Doyle (also a canine blood donor) to a weekly event at the local library where kids read stories to four-legged listeners. “Many dogs enjoy the activities, too,” Hackett says. “Doyle likes having people come over and interact with him. It’s wonderful.” "Gentle giant" Doyle with a fan. Doyle’s colleagues at Popcorn & Pups include Maui, a flat-coated retriever who belongs to Eglantina Lucio-Belbase, MS ’98. “He’s a leaner and a kisser,” Lucio-Belbase explains to his admirers. “He loves to press himself on whoever is petting him.” Top: Gus, a golden retriever, is adored at Popcorn & Pups. (Photo by Ryan Young / Cornell University; all other images in this story by Cornellians staff, unless indicated.) Published October 10, 2024 Comments Brenda, Class of 1987 22 Oct, 2024 So many smiles as I read this story and enjoyed the photos. Animals (especially dogs!) are truly the best. Thank you for sharing! Reply Joanne Wietgrefe 22 Oct, 2024 I was a Cornell Companion along with my Havanese, Melky Cabrera, before I moved to MA. We went several places but the most fun was at a girls’ prison in Lansing. We were the rewards for good behavior on Saturday afternoon. Some girls were afraid of big dogs but Melky was their favorite. They tried to teach him Spanish, “He’s a Cuban dog; he should know Spanish.” Later the prison was closed because of low enrollment. Reply Carolyn Rogers, Class of 1959 24 Oct, 2024 What a wonderful thing to have on campus! I enjoyed reading this story,and commend all participants–canine, and kind positive people. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Alumni Alum’s Nonprofit Combats the Mental Health Crisis in Rural U.S. Students From Food Network to TikTok, Hotelie Is a Gen-Z Culinary Star Campus & Beyond ILR’s Worker Institute Helps Guide a Newly Energized Labor Movement