Meet the Pups
Their faces break out in furry grins, their tails wag mightily, and they offer people a joyful, wiggly welcome. That is the magic of a therapy dog from the OSU Pete's Pet Posse.
Get to know a little more about the Pete's Pet Posse pups you might see around campus.
A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, W
Benny
Benny was born in March 2015. He is a pit-bull and terrier mix with lots of love and a big smile to share. He’s never shy about asking for a belly rub!
Benny was adopted by his dad when he was four-months old after a shelter dogs and puppies adoption day in Norman, Oklahoma. Benny’s dad saw him a month prior to his adoption but didn’t take him home right away. Then, a few weeks later when they met again at the very same location, Benny walked right toward him with his happy smile and wiggling tail after he was called. As Benny’s dad said, “I was intrigued that this little fur thing remembered me! How very interesting.” As Chinese people believe, “A dog coming to you with his own free will is a good dog.” He is a master at quietly getting his dad to do things like take him to walk at Boomer Lake twice a day so that his dad will not be a professional couch potato.
Benny absolutely loves the attention of being a therapy dog. He is so proud to serve Pete’s Pet Posse with his peers, knowing that he successfully contributes to the university’s designation as America's HEALTHIEST Campus®.
You can visit Benny in his dad’s office in University Assessment and Testing during the mid-term and final exam weeks, and at other locations around campus. Benny has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Bear Jordan
Bear Jordan is a Bernese Mountain Dog who is part of Pete’s Pet Posse at Oklahoma
State University. He was born February 14, 2016, and his favorite human in the whole world
is his mama. He found his family on April 8, 2021, and as a rescue dog, he loves the
fact that he finally has a forever home filled with love! Bear works with his mom
in Institutional Research and Analytics, and you can visit him in office 219 PIO.
He has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award, and is certified with Alliance of
Therapy Dogs.
Bonnie
Bonnie Jo is a quirky, loving pitbull who was born on March 1st, 2020 (a pandemic
baby!). Bonnie was adopted from the Stillwater Humane Society after her dad noticed
her jumping like a pogo stick in her kennel. However upon entering the kennel, Bonnie
immediately crawled into her dad’s lap and fell asleep. Clearly this was Bonnie’s
way of saying, “Yeah, you’re taking me home.” Bonnie wants everyone to know that pitbulls
aren’t that scary and just wanna be loved. Bonnie has two demands: for everyone to
be happy and for her to be petted endlessly. She doesn’t quite understand personal
space and will happily sit in your lap if she feels like there are not enough pets/cuddles
coming her way. In fact, she gets confused when people walk by without stopping to
pet her. If you’re sitting on the couch, Bonnie is sitting with you. If you’re at
the dining table, Bonnie is sitting on you. Her three most favorite things in the
world are fetch, laying on couches, and string cheese. There are only two things that
terrify Bonnie: barbecue grills and ukuleles. She is so honored to be part of the
Posse and can’t wait to get all the pets from everyone at OSU! Bonnie has earned the
AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. You
can visit Bonnie in her dad’s office in 101A Old Central where she will be happily
waiting on her couch eager to greet everyone.
Caldwell
Caldwell is a big dog with a big heart! This sweet boy was born in October 2016. He was just too big for his owners, so this Great Dane had to be re-homed. Caldwell joined his forever home in Stillwater on July 16, 2017. He found true love with Dad and Mom, Kyle and Rebecca Eastham, and his pup-siblings, Tucker and Phoebe Dee.
This big fella weighs in at 120lbs and stands about 5’11” on his hind legs. He loves to wrestle and play chase with Phoebe Dee. He likes green beans, fortune cookies, and Starbuck’s Puppuccinos. You can often find him sleeping upside down on the couch!
Caldwell is a big OSU fan and thought he should be considered for the next Bullet. When that wasn’t a possibility, he looked for other ways to be part of the Cowboy family. After he learned he could share some love, provide affection, and get lots of petting, he knew that Pete’s Pet Posse was perfect for him! He is excited to help positively enhance physical and emotional health and contribute to the success of being America's HEALTHIEST Campus®.
Caldwell is proud to announce that he earned his Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.. He is the first Great Dane in the Posse! You can find this big guy hanging with mom in the Spears School of Business and maybe even sharing a “great” idea at the Genius Bar on the first floor.
*Charlie
Charlie is a shepherd mix with lots of love to share. He’s a big fan of belly rubs
and
ear scratches and he simply loves the attention of being a therapy dog. He was part
of the 2013 inaugural class of Pete’s Pet Posse and he is so proud to wear America’s
BRIGHTEST Orange!
Charlie rescued his humans in April 2013. He was hungry, lost and wandering around a lake outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He found a dog loving Cowboy family and was nursed back to health. His family never planned to keep him, but numerous attempts to place him in rescue and find a home for him failed. In the end, it couldn’t have worked out any better. His rescue parents say he was meant to be part of the family and they couldn’t love the big guy more if they tried.
Charlie lives with his parents, Brad and Kendria Cost, and his three rescued canine siblings, his bossy older sister Annie (heeler mix) and his oldest but tiniest brother Scooter (a deaf and blind Maltese), and his new furry new sister, Sutton. Charlie works with his mom in the Ann Hargis OSU Center for Pet Therapy and focuses on all areas of the university.
Charlie is a Canine Good Citizen and is also nationally certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He and his mom are proud to be part of Pete’s Pet Posse and to give back to the Cowboy family.
Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown is one in a litter of three Miniature Dachshunds. One day, he was 
introduced to his human Mom at a local veterinarian’s office. Two days later this
sweet, handsome, spotted puppy came home to befriend an aged Australian Terrier, Katie,
and his human family of four. A year later, Lucy, a dappled Miniature Dachshund joined
him. Charlie Brown is a wonderful “big brother.”
Charlie loves chasing squirrels in his backyard. And he loves to chew…toys, dog treats, leashes, harnesses, his seat belt, another seat belt… Toys usually survive an hour or less. Luckily, he’s outgrown the “shoe issue” he had as a puppy. Charlie Brown loves belly rubs and to snuggle under the covers while he’s sleeping. He’s pretty relaxed, unless there is a squirrel nearby… or a lawn mower.
Charlie Brown has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Charlie hangs out with his friends in the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance, 208 Whitehurst. He loves to meet new friends at Pete’s Pet Posse events or while he’s walking (chasing squirrels?) around the beautiful OSU Campus.
Chewbacca
Chewbacca is a shaggy Old English Sheepdog. He was born in Mexico in July and 
adopted in October 2018. He is a very friendly, high spirited dog and loves to be
around humans. His excitement and funky personality make all those around him happy
when they see him. His favorite treat is cheese and he will run from anywhere as soon
as he hears the package being opened.
Chewbacca loves the outdoors and really enjoys the water and swimming. He often travels with his humans between Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico and loves to sleep in the back seat or let the AC or window air hit his face. One of his favorite pastimes is running around the backyard chasing squirrels. When he is calm he loves belly rubs and will lay as long as you are willing to rub his belly.
His mom works in the Division of Institutional Diversity as Director of OK-LSAMP. Chewbacca has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He gets super excited when meeting all the OSU cowboys and cowgirls on campus!
Chico
Chico is a Chihuahua-Pug mix (we think) and he enjoys being around people. As a
pet therapy dog, he serves with his mom at various events on campus. With his sweet
demeanor and love of attention, it is obvious he enjoys his job.
Chico’s origin remains unknown. He appeared one morning running down the middle of Lakeview Road in Stillwater. He was obviously lost and initial attempts to rescue him were unsuccessful. No coaxing would do—he was too frightened to accept help, though it turned out that the offer was not forgotten. Hours later, he showed up on the property of his current owners Elizabeth Lohrman and Edward Jones, climbing through the gate leading to the house and then retreating once approached. How he found the place remains a mystery. This time, however, the attempt to rescue would be different. Food and water were put out for him, and he stayed on the property, though he kept his distance for a few days hiding under a horse trailer. He may have traveled over a mile to find his new parents, but once he found them, he was not to leave.
Today he enjoys his routine in a household with one other dog and one cat. He enjoys walks around the neighborhood as well. Of all of the pets in the house, he is the most resilient. It is part of the same disposition that enables him to accept the attention of others and give it back to his well-wishers.
Chico is a Canine Good Citizen and is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Colt
Colt is a Labrador Retriever who was born on March 9, 2017.
He lives with his human parents, Robert Raab and Bruce Waterfield. Colt’s desired way to spend his time is chasing a ball or playing tug of war. Like most labs, he loves playing in the water and runs for the pond at the house as much as he can.
He is happy to be part of the P3 program at OSU and loves attention, being petted, dog kisses, and hugs.
You can meet Colt in the First Year Success office (427 General Academic Building) where his handler, Robert, is the Assistant Director of First Year Success. Colt has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He is excited to meet you on campus!
Daisy Mae
Daisy Mae is more like a teddy bear than a typical miniature poodle.
She’s more interested in snuggles and snacks than grooming or sitting pretty. Her favorite game is playing puppy soccer with her litter-mate sister, Petunia. Daisy Mae lives for ALL the cuddles and ALL the treats. She is so patient and chill, even when riding with her mom on their Segway around campus. Because Daisy Mae is a poodle, she doesn’t shed and is less likely to trigger allergies. You can visit Daisy Mae in the College of Arts and Sciences at 213 Life Sciences East. Daisy Mae has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Darwin
Darwin is a gentle and friendly small yellow Labrador, who loves being with people
and being petted. He has an outgoing personality and will poke you VERY gently with
his nose if he feels you are not petting him enough. He was found October 2015 running
free on a farm east of Stillwater. The farmer tried to find the owner of the dog but
had no success. While we initially intended just to pick him up and take him to the
Humane Society, it did not take us long to realize that this beat-up looking animal
was a gentle, friendly dog who, when introduced to Huxley our other therapy dog, very quickly bonded with him. Initially he would not come
into the house; however, with a little coaxing he came into the kitchen and ultimately
discovered the joys of soft beds and warm fires and has adapted quickly to his new
environment.
Now Darwin lives happily as part of the family . He learned well from Huxley, and has adopted a friendly and reasonably laid-back approach to life. He loves Posse
events and thinks the Student Union is the best place in the world - he tries to wag
his whole body when he realizes we are going there.
Darwin works with his Dad in Old Central on the “Honors beat”, https://honors.okstate.edu/, and spends time with his Mum in Stout Hall.
Darwin is a Canine Good Citizen and is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
*Disco
Little Ms. Disco is a miniature Australian Shepherd who came into the lives of a
local Stillwater family in May 2013. She is full of energy and loves to be with her
family at all times. Her two sisters, both Calico cats, are still adjusting to Disco’s
zest for life and her eagerness to play, play, play every chance that she gets.
Disco’s ambition in life is to be the world’s most amazing female superhero dog, and she begins by mesmerizing people with her beautiful blue eyes. She is determined in her search for truth and justice, as evident by her attentive focus when she is presented with new situations. However, she realized that by combining forces with other domesticated crusaders, the strength of their individual vigilance will only be more effective. She was accepted into Pete’s Pet Posse as the youngest member of the inaugural group and has spread joy and happiness throughout the universe. (Well, at least on campus.)
Her owner, Rick Eggers, says “Disco loves to meet new people and is always eager to prove just how wet her tongue is. She never speaks in anger and is even perfectly willing to wear any outfit my daughters pick out for her.” Disco spends time at the Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence, as well as at various events on campus.
Disco has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Dolly Parton
Every morning Dolly Parton tumbles out of bed and gets her mom to pour herself a cup
of ambition before singing her way to campus to see everyone! Dolly Parton is a 2-year-old
Miniature Poodle who got her name because everyone knew she was the star of the show
right away and can't wait to be a part of your life too. Because Dolly Parton can
be a mouthful, she will also listen to Dolly, DP, or really anything you want as long
as you pet her while saying it. DP will always have a happy face and will probably
be singing her happy sounds and showing off her spinning moves when she sees everyone
around campus because she is so excited to be there!
You can visit Dolly Parton in her office, which is located in Gallagher-Iba in the Men's Basketball offices. In order to go to her job every day, DP is a Canine Good Citizen award and is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
When you can't find Dolly in her office, it is probably because she is enjoying the outdoors and hanging out with her big best friends over at the Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center. Dolly Parton is so excited to see you around and meet so many new friends because if DP were to live her life by a true Dolly Parton song, then it is probably 'Better Get to Livin.'
Evie A
Evie is a rescued dog. She was originally taken into the municipal shelter in Oklahoma City when she was about 6 months old. She was sick at the time.
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society took her into their adoption program, but first they placed her into foster care for a month so she could receive medical treatment and get ready for adoption. Her mom saw her picture online and immediately headed for Oklahoma City. It was love at first sight when she met this happy, energetic, friendly girl, and she adopted Evie that day.
Evie has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She loves spending time with student athletes and can regularly be found visiting Gallagher Iba Arena.
Ghost
Ghost is a miniature Australian Shepherd who was brought to Oklahoma State University’s Veterinary Medical Hospital (OSUVMH) in May 2016. He jumped out the back of a moving truck bed and broke his left front leg.
His previous owner couldn’t afford to pay for the surgery and discussed euthanizing him. After some discussion, the previous owner relinquished him to the hospital. Miranda Maschek, a Registered Veterinary Technician at OSUVMH, fell in love with Ghost when she saw him in the intensive care unit that morning. When Miranda heard about his story, she agreed to adopt him and pay for the surgery to repair his broken leg. After weeks of cage rest and physical therapy, Ghost is walking like a normal dog.
He is one of the sweetest dogs and absolutely loves getting all the attention. His favorite treat is cheese, but he loves anything edible. His favorite activity is going on walks around Boomer Lake with his mom. He loves to visit and help veterinary students learn at OSUVMH.
Ghost is super excited to be part of the pet therapy program. You can find Ghost around campus at events. So, keep an eye out for Ghost in his Pete’s Pet Posse vest. He loves making new Cowboy friends.
Ghost has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Guac
Guac (when he is a good boy, Guacamole if not) is a miniature Schnauzer that will
steal
your heart in seconds. Guac came home early October 2019 and little his dad knew,
months later they were isolated due to the pandemic. That was a unique opportunity
to create this amazing bond while both Guac and his dad navigated rough waters with
so much uncertainty out there. His dad owes his sanity to Guac during these times
and rest assured, both have seen each other at their very best and their very worst,
but that is life and that is what this human-dog bond is all about. Probably this
is what inspired Guac’s dad to apply for the P3 program. Guac has so much love to
give and spread that his presence on-campus will be instrumental for him and his mission.
Guac loves socks (especially those fresh out of the laundry) and it is definitely
his favorite toy. He also could spend hours chewing a Nylabone. Just like any other
dog, he loves to sleep but also when it is play time, he takes it seriously. Weather
permitting, he loves to go out for walks around the neighborhood and explore around.
Guac loves to jump on the car for a ride but once the car starts moving, he decides
to take a nap. His excitement for riding the car lasts a few minutes which is extremely
cute. Guac is also bilingual so do not be surprised if you interact with him and responds
to a very basic word in Spanish like ‘vamos’ (let’s go) or ‘oye’ (listen). You can
visit Guac in his dad’s office at Spears School of Business. Guac has earned the AKC
Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Hazel Jane
Hazel Jane is a Bernese Mountain Dog who is part of Pete’s Pet Posse at Oklahoma
State University. She was born March 9, 2020, and came to live with her family eight
weeks later. Hazel loves fruits, vegetables, and every squeaky toy on the planet.
She also loves to play show-n-tell: When her humans get home, she runs through the
house looking for something to show the family (normally shoes). Hazel works with
her dad in the Spears School of Business, and you can visit her in office 277 Business.
She has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award, and is certified with Alliance of
Therapy Dogs.
Jackson
Jackson is a Golden Retriever whose goal in life is to sit on the lap of every person
he meets. Since his big brother Toby was a P3 Pup and his two human siblings are both OSU grads, he wanted to join The
Posse so the whole family could bleed orange. In 2016, as a puppy, he started visiting
campus on Fridays at lunchtime when his big sis was a first year veterinary student
and big brother was an architectural engineering student and, since he was cuddled
constantly by students there isn’t a Cowboy/Cowgirl he doesn’t love. He was very jealous
when Toby got to put on his orange Posse uniform and go inside the buildings so joining P3
was just his passion!
When he isn’t sitting on someone’s lap or wrestling with his new brother Finnley, Jackson’s very favorite thing to do is water sports. He loves to paddle board and kayak with his human sister, and compete in dock diving events with his mom. He also loves being the “big dog” at the lake teaching Finnley and his human siblings’ puppies Bentley & Jolene the art of fetching toys and balls in the water.
Jackson’s mom, Susan, is retired so takes him to visits all over campus, and he will often be found hanging out in the Geology Department with his dad, Mike. His favorite hobbies (besides water sports) are playing ball and tracking the deer and rabbits who pass through his yard, and, just like his brother Toby, his favorite treat is “pizza bones”. Jackson has earned his Canine Good Citizen and is officially certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
King
King is a fun spirited and people loving Sheltie. He found his Mom when he was just
8
months old. He had no manners, but his Mom saw something different in King. He brought
a smile to everyone he met and became such a comfort to others. King had never been
kept in the house but learned to go potty outside in one day. When his family would
leave him to go to another room, he opened the doors with the straight handles to
go in the room with them. He longed to be close to people.
When King would try to take his bone outside his Mom would say, “No, King, you cannot take your bone outside.” King would turn around and lay his bone on the coffee table, waiting politely to be let outside. King loves warm hugs. He will lay his head on your shoulder to hug you. He has never met a stranger and loves to be petted and loved on by all. When traveling, King insists on sitting up front while his Mom drives.
King likes bacon-flavored treats and cheese. He loves to go on walks and runs. His favorite toys are any kind of stuffed animals that he can carry around and show off. He loves to jump into bed with his Mom and Dad in the middle of the night and sleep against his Mom.
King can be found in the Edmon Low Library. He has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Leo
Leo is a Golden Retriever who is happiest when he is around people who will pet him
and rub his belly. He loves to run in circles, chase balls & sticks and jump into
any old water puddle (to get smelly). Leo lives a pampered life with his five cat
friends and small Corgi and enjoys playing with them - and occasionally teasing them.
He is well loved by his family and can be found wrestling with his “boy” often. Although
he is a bit large for a retriever, he is very gentle and affectionate.
Leo has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He can be found with his mom, Donita, at special events on campus.
Lou
Lou was rescued by her human dad, Matt as a tiny puppy and lived a quiet life in
Stillwater with him and her furry sibling, Belle (Lhasa Apso/ Shih Tzu) until 2015
when her human mom Carisa and furry sibling Archie (Great Dane/ German Shorthaired
Pointer/ Hound) came into the picture. It took a few years of patience and subtle
hints before Carisa finally realized Lou’s potential as a therapy dog and applied
at ages 12 and (redacted). Lou is living her best life when on campus and whoever
said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks hasn’t met Lou! Lou loves naps, pets,
treats, walks, and car rides. But, don’t confuse her for a lap dog – she prefers all
four feet on the ground (or the couch).
You can visit Lou and her mom in the CEAT dean’s office or in their favorite place, Parker Hall.
Lucy C
Lucy is a medium Golden doodle, a golden retriever/poodle mix. She is hypoallergenic
and does not shed, which is great around the home and office! When she was little,
her
fur had a bit of a red tint, so she was named after Lucille Ball.
Lucy is convinced that every person she encounters wants to pet her. She loves to be around people and is excited to be wearing America’s BRIGHTEST orange. Her favorite game is tug and she guarantees that you will wear out before she does.
Lucy was born February 2015 in Kansas. When she joined Pete’s Pet Posse she was the youngest member of the Posse, at 16 months of age. Because she was so young, Lucy began training when she was seven months old so that she would be ready for pet therapy training.
Her parents are Karen and Kevin Clark. Lucy and her mom can be found in The Child Development Lab, in the College of Human Sciences, 110 Human Sciences West.
Lucy has earned her Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Lucy S
Lucy Schmitz is a proud Miniature Schnauzer with a lot to say to the world! In her
everyday adventures, Lucy is eager to greet new people she meets and takes great
pride in her position in Pete’s Pet Posse. Lucy values student health and well-being
and is excited to enrich the lives of OSU students through pet therapy.
Lucy was adopted in 2013 from Nebraska No Kill Canine Rescue after she found herself displaced and in need of a new home. Initially, Lucy was a foster dog, but we quickly fell in love and became the best type of failure – a “foster failure.” Lucy quickly became a beloved family member and has moved with us, along with one dog sibling and two cat siblings, from Nebraska to Texas, and now Oklahoma. In our family, Lucy provides balance with her sweet, mild-mannered demeanor and her zest for life that she shares with us through her love of playing with toys (her favorite is her Lamb Chop XL!), playing keep-away in the backyard, and going on road trips. Lucy loves to smile, and her joy is infectious!
Lucy and her pet parent, Dr. Rachel Schmitz, can be found on the 4th floor of Murray Hall, in the Sociology Department. Stop by and meet Lucy – she loves to get to know new people and share her love of life with them.
Lucy has earned her AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Luke
Luke is a Great Pyrenees mix who was found in the oilfields of West Texas with
his brother, Han. His future dad brought them home to San Antonio to be loved on
by his three other brothers (Hutch, Ranger, and Chewbacca) and one sister (Kallibow).
In September of 2018, Luke and his family moved back to Stillwater, his mom’s hometown.
He’s excited when it snows, not too excited when it rains – he turns pink from digging
in the Oklahoma red dirt when he’s outside – but loves the nice weather and sunshine.
Luke loves to be loved on by anyone and everyone. His favorite things to do in the day are to lay in the sun, bark at birds that fly over, and play with his brother, Han. He has learned to sit, shake, speak, and will stand up on his hind legs to give you a hug.
His mom, LeAnne, works in the Office of First Year Success and Luke would love for you to visit him there! Luke has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Lumos
My name is Lumos Maxima…Lumos to my friends. I was named after a Harry Potter wand
spell used for light because my mom says I am a light in the darkness. I am a rescue
who adopted my mom on June 30, 2018.
A long time ago my leg was broken and I was not taken to the veterinarian to make sure it healed correctly. Now I tend to either squat or sit on my hip. It looks pretty funny, but it doesn’t bother me. When I’m super excited, my tail goes round and round a mile a minute. Mom teases me that I might just take flight with my propeller on the back. When you see me, my legs/chest may be dyed really colorfully. This is my way of bringing awareness to things such as suicide prevention, autism, cancers, and other issues that affect my friends and family.
I really love going to the dog park. All the humans think it’s funny that I play like a cat. I crouch down until the other dogs get near, and then I pounce toward them as they go running past; and I also toss my ball in the air and bat at it with my paws, chasing it out in front of me. I also adore car rides. I love hanging my head out the window, smelling the air. Especially when we go past the OSU pig barns and the fields with horses and cows.
If you see me on campus, be sure to stop and say hello! I’m proud that I’ve earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and I am nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Department website: Edmon Low Library
Minnie
Minnie was rescued from an animal shelter in Illinois when her mom was finishing her
PhD. When first rescued, the shelter said she was three years old. When Minnie went
from 30lbs to 50 and grew taller it was clear she was much younger. Minnie is an English
setter and loves patrolling and pointing at birds in the backyard- even hummingbirds!
When not playing with her two dog siblings she loves to snuggle on the couch with
a blanket. Minnie loves learning new tricks and meeting new people. She has her AKC
novice trick dog title and is working towards the intermediate level. Her favorite
thing about joining Pete’s Pet Posse is getting to go to campus. You can visit Minnie
in her mom's office in Agricultural Hall 529. Minnie has earned the AKC Canine Good
Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Murphy
Murphy’s parents weren’t sure Murphy could steal their hearts, but he alleviated
those fears the minute they met him. Ever since that moment, he has proven that he
is something special. Murphy is an only child who loves being the center of attention
and the playtime he gets with OSU students who come over for dinner. His parents have
to warn everyone to be ready, because he loves to sit on people’s feet so they can’t
go anywhere while petting him. He gives love by putting his paw on anyone who pets
him – sort of like he’s petting you back!
There are some days Murphy’s energy is overwhelming, but a few minutes chasing the laser pointer, taking a good swim, chasing a soccer ball, or enjoying a long adventurous walk can wear him out. Just be prepared to follow through with serious playtime if you use the word “ball,” and expect to work hard to get the ball back, because he will protect the ball from you like the world’s best goalie! When he’s tired, Murphy’s favorite place to nap is in his dad’s leather chair or on the sofa with his parents. Murphy’s mom loves to cook and he knows if he is patient and keeps a tight watch over the kitchen, that something might fall to the floor accidentally. Sometimes, he tries to sneak a little taste from the counter and can’t understand why that’s frowned upon!
Murphy has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He is so excited to be part of Pete’s Pet Posse, and uses his amazing people skills to help his mom as she welcomes new students to OSU! You can find Murphy encouraging students to be their best in University College Advising or First Year Success.
Oakley Mahar
Hi! Meet OAKLEY. This lovable Golden Retriever was born on October 25, 2016, and
adopted by Rick and Marla Mahar on Christmas Eve that year. And, oh, what a gift
she is!
Oakley is a lovable ranch gal. Although she is not much of a cattle wrangler, the baby calves love to follow her around. With five ponds on the ranch, it is very hard for Oakley to stay out of the water. So, walking near Theta Pond might prove to be a challenge.
Please come and visit Oakley and his mom in the BCOM office at Spears Business School. She loves a good hug, and she might even talk to you.
Oakley has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Oakley Rose
Oakley is a Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle mix) who won her family
over from the first time they saw her big, brown, human-like eyes. You can see in
her eyes if she is happy, sad, or scared. Most of the time she’s extremely happy,
tail and tongue wagging, but is working on overcoming her fears of thunder and balloons.
Oakley is hypoallergenic, which makes it nice for those in her home and on campus
who have dog allergies!
Oakley really loves a good lazy day on the couch, but occasionally gets a playful burst of energy. She absolutely loves food, and will do just about anything for a morsel, including batting her long eyelashes at you. Her love of food has led her on a weight-loss journey that has been tough, but successful (somewhat).
Oakley thrives on meeting new people and thinks that everyone is her best friend. Her favorite pastime is being petted and loved on! She looks forward to meeting you at campus and sporting events! She is so excited to be a therapy dog for the greatest university with the best students, and loves to wear her Brightest Orange! She has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. You can frequently find her spending time in Gallagher Iba Arena with the OSU Men's Basketball team.
Oscar
We rescued Oscar when he was about 8 weeks old. He was in a bad place for an
animal, especially a puppy-- malnourished, dehydrated and no human contact. We got
him home, gave him a warm bath, fed and gave him plenty of water. At his first vet
visit he weighed in at 3 pounds, but weighed a healthy 26 pounds by the time he joined
Pete's Pet Posse. Oscar now has a loving home with his 2 year old sister Charlie,
who is also a Mini Australian Shepard rescue. When Oscar is not playing ball in the
backyard, or catching a performance at OSU’s Department of Theatre, you can probably find him lounging on the sofa. Oscar and Charlie are wonderful
additions to our family.
Oscar has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He and I enjoy being members of Pet’s Pet Posse. You can find us in the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts in the Department of Theatrewing. Please, stop by and meet Oscar.
Otis
Otis is a nine-pound bundle of happiness! He’s a Poodle Yorkie mix…is that a Yordle or
a Porkie or maybe a Yorkiepoo? He lives with his mom Carol Jones in Stillwater. He’s
a different kind of a rescue dog! He was the rescuer when he came to live with his
mom. Dr. Jones had just lost her cat Gateway after 20 years of being best buds, and
the house was too quiet and very lonely! In comes Otis weighing in at just 1.3 pounds
and 6 inches tall at 9 weeks old. He totally revitalized the Jones household!
Otis’s favorite thing in life is to sit on someone’s lap and give kisses! He will jump from lap to lap looking for the person who needs the most love. Nothing is more important to Otis than being petted! His favorite toys are an empty water bottle and his stuffed squeaky skunk! He enjoys fishing, hiking, riding motorcycles and going to the barn with mom.
Otis's mom has retired but they still make visits all over campus. He can’t wait to put on his Pete’s Pet Posse vest and get to campus to see his Cowboy friends!
Otis is a Canine Good Citizen and is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He has also earned his AKC Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog certification.
Rigsby
Rigsby is a big ol’ Mastiff mix born in January 2018. He was adopted in July of 2018
from
the Stillwater Humane Society. Rigsby goes by many names, Rigs, Rigsbert, Bertie,
Big Bertha to name a few. When hanging around the house, he can be found on the couch
snoozing and waiting for a cuddle. He utterly adores his backyard and spending time
in his kiddie pool after digging and rolling in the mud, much to his mom’s dismay.
Rigs is known to don a hoodie when it gets a little chilly outside. He loves him some
peanut butter and bananas. Rigsby is a pretty quiet boy, but if he’s feeling excited
and sassy, you may hear him “woo-woo” back at you when you chat with him; however,
his woofs are reserved specifically for stinky squirrels and pesky rabbits…and the
occasional chat with a neighbor pup. His favorite travel destination is anything called
“dog park.” He recognizes the phrase, and the utterance incites in him an excitement
that cannot be rivaled. He is passionate about making new friends at the dog park,
canine and human alike.
Bertie loves meeting and greeting anyone and everyone on campus during his visits down Monroe! He has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. His mom works at the OSU Foundation where Rigsby will continue the tradition of Bella and Elsa by providing pet therapy to Foundation employees and visitors.
Roscoe
Roscoe's story began in Oklahoma City as a homeless stray. It was a tough life on 
the streets for three months, but he soon found a home with Quinn and Leslie Baldwin
in Stillwater and quickly became a member of the family. Roscoe has a fondness for
swimming, playing with his two legged siblings and long walks in parks full of squirrels
to work off all his treats. Without a mean bone in his fit, furry body, Roscoe loves
canines and people alike and is excited to be on campus.
Roscoe has received his Canine Good Citizen award and is officially registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. You can find him and his mom in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department.
*Scruff
Scruff had a rough start to life. When he was young, he was abandoned by his
Stillwater owners and was left to fend for himself. He was abused by children and
adults and was rescued by three OSU students in the fall of 2013. He was taken to
the OSU Veterinary Medical Hospital where, among other things, it was discovered he had been shot and his front elbow
was shattered. These creative and innovative OSU students used social media to raise
enough money for surgery. With the expertise of OSU veterinarian, Dr. Lara Sypniewski,
acupuncture and a water treadmill, Scruff is now fully recovered and living his very
best life.
The best part of Scruff’s story? He was adopted by then OSU President and First Cowgirl, Burns and Ann Hargis, and spent most of his days on the Stillwater campus as the Presidential Pet. He loves nothing more than giving back to the community that rescued him, and his days have been spent greeting students, employees, and visitors.
“He is a terrier mix with a funny personality and absolutely adores people,” says former OSU First Cowgirl, Ann Hargis. “Burns and I fell head over heels in love with this little guy and he has enriched our lives beyond measure.”
Scruff’s parents have retired, but he has not! He still serves the Stillwater campus and he can also be found making visits to the OSU-OKC campus when time allows.
Scruff is a Canine Good Citizen and is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Sebastian
Sebastian is a young (but ginormous for his breed) Yorkshire Terrier who loves nothing
more than your undivided attention and to be loved; all the while not realizing his
own size…he’s just a big teddy bear. If you throw a tennis ball once for Sebastian,
you’ve made a friend for life! He could play fetch for hours and can run at break
neck speed. He will lay the ball directly at your feet so you don’t have to make
that extra effort to reach for it.
Sebastian is not your usual “rescue” dog. His mom did not rescue him; he rescued her! Sebastian is a loyal and faithful friend with his constant presence, energy, and spirit for life. He knew exactly what his mom needed and it was the unconditional love of a lop-eared benevolent loving four-legged furry tail-wagging pooch that became her rock!
He is a momma’s boy and loves bringing his abundant energy to campus and meeting new visitors, students, faculty, and staff. He works with his mom, Shelby, in the Spears School of Business.
Sebastian has earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate and is officially registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Sophie
Sweet Sophie is a Miniature Schnauzer who lives with her family in Stillwater. She
is
very social and has never met a stranger. Sophie is extremely vocal and lets people
know that she wants some attention. When she enters a room she barks to let everyone
know that she has arrived!! She loves to visit campus and make new friends. No matter
how many people are in a room Sophie makes sure that she visits every single one of
them. She works at the Alumni Association with her Mom Joy Fieldsend. She greets visitors and enjoys meeting students taking
campus tours. Before she can start her day at work she has to visit every office at
the Alumni Association to say hello! In her free time Sophie loves to cheer on her
OSU cowboys in front of the TV and always wears her orange bandana on game days. Her
favorite thing about being a member of Pete’s Pet Posse is all the new friends she
has made.
Sophie has received her Canine Good Citizen and is officially registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Strudel
Strudel may be small in stature but he makes up for it with his big personality!
He loves
meeting new people, going for walks and car rides, and of course having his belly
rubbed. Strudel considers himself a professional taste tester and loves fruits and
vegetables, with strawberries and bell peppers being his favorite. He has an extensive
toy collection, and he is never far from his favorite stuffed llama or chicken. His
hobbies include squeaking toys through his parents’ favorite tv shows, growling at
nothing in the middle of the night to scare his mom, rolling outside and bringing
his grass collection in through the doggie door, and working to prefect those adorable
puppy dog eyes to get whatever he wants. His arch nemesis is a rolling trash can,
and his life’s work is to protect his family from the weekly trash truck. Strudel
is gentle, smart, and true to his dachshund nature, a dash of stubborn. We are so
excited for Strudel to be part of P3 and to share his sweetness across campus.
You can visit Strudel in his mom’s office in the OSUTeach suite in 114 LSE. Strudel has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Tessa
Tessa was born in August of 2014. She is ¾ Golden Retriever and ¼ miniature poodle
but she looks like a mini Golden Retriever. Tessa began her career as a therapy dog
while her parents lived in Louisville, Kentucky. When they moved to Stillwater in
2016, she was thrilled to go through the Posse training program.
Tessa’s favorite activity is retrieving a ball or toy. She gets excited and runs to the door when she sees her orange Posse vest. Her favorite food is anything edible, but she doesn’t quite understand bananas. Like all the Posse dogs, Tessa loves to be petted, however she has one unusual habit: She will rollover for tummy rubs, but only from women… Sorry guys.
You can meet Tessa in Industrial Engineering and Management, located on the 3rd floor of Engineering North where her dad, Dr. Tim Hardin, is faculty
Tessa is a Canine Good Citizen and is nationally certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Theo
The timing of Theo’s birth, New Year’s Eve 2016, was symbolic. Six weeks after
ushering in the new year, he would usher in a new era for his family—Andrea, Mike,
and two feline sisters (Sylvie and Pogo). An adopted older brother Dax (a black Dachsador) would join the family a year later. His human parents appreciate the ways Theo reminds
them of a few of the fundamentals of leading a good life. Theo wakes up every morning
expecting that day to be the best day EVER, and he greets nearly everyone as a potential
new best friend. He expresses deep gratitude for his daily kibbles, enjoys his relationships
to the max, and is quick to share his affection. He lives fully in the moment.
Theo’s three favorite pastimes are: (1) enticing Dax to chase him, (2) coaxing Dax to wrestle with him, and (3) actually wrestling with him. Theo also loves new people, places, and learning in general—so he loves being part of Pete’s Pet Posse! If you meet him, you’ll have to ask him how he feels when the Pokes beat their rivals.
You can meet Theo with his dad, Dr. Mike Yough, in the Educational Psychology Program on the second floor of Willard Hall (214) or at various campus events. Theo has earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen award and is certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Winnie L
Winnie, a Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso mix, is a “rescue dog” in the way she rescued Sherri
and
her husband after their daughters moved away to attend college. Her attentive personality
and attitude put a smile back into their hearts when their world at home was undergoing
drastic changes.
Her attentiveness is not directed solely toward her family; she has the same caring, “tuned-in” attitude toward everyone she encounters. If someone isn’t feeling well, she’s “on duty.” If something odd’s going on outside and she’s inside, she immediately wants to go out to take care of business, even if her “sister” Chloe is totally disinterested.
Although Winnie is a “take charge” girl, she doesn't do it with any hint of aggressiveness (unless the wild turkeys near her backyard flap their wings and make too much noise; then she'd rather they just fly away). You just can’t help falling in love with her, because she immediately falls in love with everyone. One look into those soulful eyes of hers and you’ll be hooked.
Sherri and Troy Longan love this little girl so and wanted to share her with the OSU community. They say that when Winnie’s people have all returned home for the evening, she runs to get her favorite toy and jumps onto Troy’s lap, repeatedly squeaking her toy. They’re sure this is her way of letting them know all is right with the world.
Winnie has received her Canine Good Citizen and is officially registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She and her mom are part of the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation.
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Winston
Winston was born in October of 2015 in Sharpsburg, Georgia. After tons of research
and searching for the right breed for our family, we decided we wanted an Alaskan
Malamute. We wanted a large dog with a gentle temperament and Winston has been a perfect
fit! His best friend at home is Saki, our 14 lb. Shiba Inu/Alaskan Klee Kai mix.
She is small but mighty and can sound like a Tazmanian devil to keep Winston in line.
He also has two other friends at home – Shiba Inus, Kuma and Miko. But, Saki is his
BFF!
Winston is very used to lots of attention – he earned his AKC Conformation Championship when he was two-years-old, so he is accustomed to being touched and groomed. He even gets his teeth brushed three times a week and doesn’t mind at all! Winston will do just about anything for a treat. Some of his favorite special treats are cheese cubes and beef jerky. His favorite toy is an oversized squeaky tennis ball, and he carries it around the house with great pride.
People wonder why he doesn’t have a name that matches his breed like our other three dogs. The reason is that his dad, Enzo, was flown to Georgia from the United Kingdom to breed with his mom, Fiona. Since Winston is half British, we decided to name him after Winston Churchill. His AKC registered name is “Vykon’s Amorak Their Finest Hour.”
Winston loves meeting students all over campus! Please don’t be afraid when he greets you with a friendly howl because he loves to talk! Winston has the Canine Good Citizen certification and is registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. You can find Winston on campus with his mom, Ragan, in her office in Department of Human Development and Family Science.