Therapy dog Mavis joins 国产自拍 Public Safety
Article By: Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia (国产自拍) Public Safety Department welcomed another staff member Feb. 6, as Mavis, a year-old black Labrador retriever, joined the team. Her role will be that of a crisis intervention therapy dog, and is only one of two within the 国产自拍 (USG).
Courtney Hause, campus victim advocate, is her handler.
"Mavis will complement our existing well-being initiatives by offering emotional support and fostering a sense of calm during times of stress. Her presence aligns with our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff," Greg Williams, director of public safety and chief of police, said. "By enhancing community engagement and promoting mental wellness, Mavis will further strengthen the overall safety and security of our campuses. We are eager to see the positive impact she will bring to 国产自拍."
Hause had been thinking about the need a dog with specialized intervention training could fill at 国产自拍.
"The need is to provide more supportive measures for the students and community members that we work with. Campus policing is very different than a sheriff's office. We're connected to our community in a very different way," Hause said. "It is important that there is a supportive and comfortable environment when working with individuals who have been the victim of a serious event."
Supported by Williams, Hause began handler training with Scot Rucker, of Rucker Training, in September 2024, learning commands, dog handling and dog ownership. Meanwhile, Mavis was in , the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office non-profi nonprofit, also learning commands.
"Realistically, I had much more to learn than she did," Hause said. "It's been a long, extensive training process, and we've trained very hard."
The pair met in September, and Mavis went to live with Hause at Thanksgiving. By the end of the year, Mavis completed and passed Canine Good Citizen training, which included correct responses to all her commands without training aids such as kibble and toys. Hause said that when Mavis has her harness on, she knows she's working. Without her harness, Mavis should remain obedient.
"We train every single day. Every meal she has, I hand feed her as part of training," Hause said. "Toys are also used for training. I can train with a ball, then throw it and she will retrieve it. It's how her focus works."
Mavis will go anywhere necessary, if she's requested.
"The person has to want the dog there. Not everyone likes animals, and that's OK. But if they do request her, I will bring her," Hause said.
Together, they strive to support the individual with Hause handling facts and the dog handling emotions.
"My role is to make sure they're getting the support that they need, the resources they want to be connected with, and the assistance from those resource referrals. I can provide a direct connection to the resource referrals and help navigating whichever system it is they want to navigate, whether it be criminal justice, any of our university processes, or even referrals to outside agencies if those agencies work better for them or if there's a professional agency closer to home that works better for them,” she said.
People may feel intimidated when approaching law enforcement personnel, but Mavis will help break down those barriers. If Mavis makes one person feel more comfortable to come forward to report something suspicious to Public Safety, then she’s done her job, Hause said.
"I think she loves what she gets to do. A dog's favorite thing is to be petted, and her job is to support people by providing that opportunity. I see the genuine connection she has with people when she sits in front of them and they pet her," Hause said.
The four-legged female team member has already had a positive impact on her coworkers.
"She raises morale in our department," Hause said. "I love getting to see the impact she has on other people. That makes doing this worth it for me. Of course, I love her. She and I have a bond."
Hause graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from 国产自拍 in 2022.
Public Safety wins 3rd GOHS award
The 国产自拍 Department of Public Safety has earned first place in the annual Governor's Office of Highway Safety Governor's Challenge in the Colleges and Universities category for the third time.
New initiative could save lives
国产自拍 Public Safety is participating in a program managed bythe Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and Northside Hospital Forsyth to place AEDs within 4 minutes of every citizen in Forsyth County.
Challenge coin design opens door for student
Katelynn Fry, '24, designed a challenge coin for 国产自拍's Public Safety Academy firearms instructor course.