A Day in the Life of SNHU’s Comfort Dog, Sunny

The next time you're on campus at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), you might be greeted by a ray of sunshine on four legs. Her name is Sunny, and she's SNHU's official comfort dog.

Why Does SNHU Have a Comfort Dog?

When SNHU was looking for new ways to support student well-being and foster connections, senior public safety supervisor Steve Jankowski proposed the idea of getting a comfort dog for the school. "At my daughter's college, they had comfort dogs," he said. "So I suggested it."

The idea eventually came to fruition with the support of SNHU's Student Government Association (SGA), and Jankowski became Sunny's handler in addition to his public safety role at SNHU. Sunny now lives with him and they commute to campus each day.

And when it comes to the goal that brought him and Sunny together? "It's been extremely positive," he said.

Sunny's presence on patrols and at various events helps to promote inclusivity and provide students with emotional support. And now, Jankowski noted that students frequently approach him and Sunny to say hello.

"My time is doubled when I go out to do something, but it's all worth it," he said.

A Typical Work Day for Sunny

Jankowski called Sunny an earlier riser. He said she typically wakes up around 5:30 a.m., ready to start her day.

"She goes out, she eats, does her business," he said.

Then at around 8:00 a.m., Jankowski said he and Sunny take a mile-long walk, rain or shine. "She loves the rain," he said. "Raining, snowing, whatever."

After that, the pair get ready for their day and head out to campus. "And once we get to work, she's happy," Jankowski said.

Sunny loves spending time with her favorite people — and she has a lot of them. She regularly visits several buildings on SNHU's campus, and she's especially fond of Webster Hall, Robert Frost Hall and the public safety offices.

"She loves running through the office door to greet everybody," Jankowski said. "And then whatever the day calls for, we go out and do."

Off the Clock: Sunny’s Favorite Things

When Sunny's vest is on, it's time for work. But when the vest is off, she's just like any other dog. Jankowski described her as goofy.

"Sunny's favorite thing is probably laundry," he said. "She loves pulling laundry out of the laundry basket, just dragging it into a different room."

Sunny is also a fan of America's favorite pastime — Jankowski said she prefers playing with baseballs over tennis balls. And in typical golden retriever fashion, he said Sunny also loves the water. "She loves going to the beach," he said.

Meeting Sunny

Like many dogs, Sunny typically prefers to approach new people on her own rather than having someone approach her directly. If you ever see her on campus, keep that in mind, and ask her handler the best way to say hello. For instance, sitting down might be more inviting than standing over her.

"Sunny likes it more if you get down low and scratch her chest," Jankowski said.

If you're an online student, Sunny is here for you, too. Follow Sunny's Instagram account and the SNHU On Campus social accounts, and she might drop by to brighten your day.

"She's there for everybody," said Jankowski.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.