A beloved member of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources celebrated his birthday Feb. 20. Jonas, a certified therapy dog, marked his fourth birthday with a party at Hardin Hall that included balloons — one of his favorite toys — and treats, like his favorite bananas and Nutter Butter cookies.
Kenneth Pyle, student success coach in the School of Natural Resources, and Jonas, his 85-pound labradoodle, joined the department about two years ago, and friends Jonas has made in that time stopped by his party to give him treats or pets. Pyle said he sees every day how Jonas brings some fun and comfort to East Campus.
“It is fun to see people’s faces light up,” Pyle said.
Jonas came into Pyle’s life during the earlier days of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Pyle was a seventh-grade science teacher and saw how other therapy dogs benefited students and the community, especially during that stressful time, so he explored getting one himself. Jonas completed therapy dog training through Domesti-Pups.
“Education is what I love, and this was another piece of the puzzle to me,” Pyle said.
Jonas is one of three therapy dogs on campus on a regular basis. Pyle takes Jonas to student visits, into the halls of Hardin Hall on test days, and orientation days. Sometimes they visit Big Red Pawp-Up, a monthly event where certified therapy dogs visit Love Library and the Dinsdale Family Learning Commons. Jonas has even visited classes and helped students learn about behavior modifications like learning commands. He is trained to press a button in Pyle’s office that says “outside.”
Pyle understands that some people aren’t comfortable around dogs, especially large dogs like Jonas, and he tries to be aware of that, but many people like just having Jonas in the room, Pyle said. If a new student misses their dog back home or recently lost a pet, they can spend time with Jonas. Some will ask for Jonas to sit next to them outside Pyle’s office.
“People talk to each other because he’s around,” Pyle said. “It brings down barriers in people just to have something to discuss. Sometimes it takes a while to build a relationship and just having him close really helps.”
Pyle said he does have to teach some people the best ways to interact with Jonas. For example, Jonas loves to be chased, but Pyle said he has to be careful that Jonas will then still engage with a person instead of running away from them.
“People will want to play fetch with him, but he’s not really a fetch dog,” Pyle said. “His favorite is playing with a balloon like a volleyball. We’ve had probably 10 to 12 people in here in a circle.”
During his time at the university, Jonas has developed lots of friendships on campus, Pyle said. Sometimes he will hear or smell people and want to go greet them. When he sees his favorite people, Jonas’ excited response is a kind of “bunny hop.” Some students will stop by Pyle’s office just to see Jonas.
“They’re not here to see me, they’re here to see Jonas,” Pyle said. “I know that, and that’s great with me.”
Dennis Ferraro, a conservation biologist/herpetologist and professor of practice in the School of Natural Resources, is one of Jonas’ favorite people on campus and has the same birthday as Jonas.
“He would go home with Dennis in a heartbeat,” Pyle said.
Ferraro often shares beef jerky from his lunch with Jonas and sometimes takes Jonas for walks in the Hardin Hall prairie when Pyle is busy. Jonas surprised Ferraro on one of these walks when the normally well-behaved dog chased after a rabbit, pulling Ferraro with him.
“In retrospect, this gave me an improved appreciation for Jonas as a canine, indicating that some of his ancestral wolf DNA still influences his behavior,” he said.
Ferraro said Jonas fits perfectly in the School of Natural Resources, where faculty and students embrace relationships with animals and nature.
“It is a very tranquil encounter especially during stressful situations and times,” Ferraro said. “For a domesticated canine, Jonas adds a ‘natural/wildlife’ relief from an indoor human-centric atmosphere.”
