ETSU Therapy Dog Meets Her New Handler

From East Tennessee State University:

January 21, 2022

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Sgt. Dreama Pullon from East Tennessee State
University Public Safety has a new partner. You will see her riding around campus
in Sgt. Pullon’s patrol car and also assisting at major events.

And she needs no introduction.

Pepper joined the ETSU Public Safety team in February 2020 as the department’s first
therapy dog. She journeyed to ETSU from Florida via the Paws & Stripes Comfort Dog
Program.

Overnight, she became a rock star.

“The students love her, and she loves them,” said Sgt. Pullon, who earlier this week
took Pepper to the Dining Hall in the Culp Student Center so she could reconnect with
students she had not seen for over a month. “Everyone was giving her a hug and telling
her how much they missed her during the break.”

Sgt. Pullon recently become Pepper’s official handler following the retirement of
Officer Bill Mitchell.

“I’ve always been a ‘pet person,’ especially dogs,” said Pullon, who has been with
the ETSU Public Safety team for nine years. Prior to joining the ETSU team, she spent
17 years as a patrol sergeant in Washington County, Virginia.

In addition to having a new handler, Pepper is also adjusting to having a new “sibling”
– Kylie, an older mixed breed dog Sgt. Pullon and her wife adopted. “Kylie is very
curious about Pepper, but they are adapting well. The family is complete.”

As a therapy dog, Pepper is available to be a source of support for ETSU students
during exam times, when they feel homesick or are experiencing stress, or simply when
they want some canine companionship. She also will ride along with Sgt. Pullon while
she is on duty and will continue to make appearances at special events.

“I work 12-hour shifts, but there are breaks built in the schedule for Pepper to rest
during the day,” she said. “Pepper loves to ride in the car with the window down,
which makes it easier for the students to see her and give her a shout-out.”

Pepper and Sgt. Pullon are going through training exercises together as Pepper works
to complete her recertification as a therapy dog.

Fans can follow Pepper on Instagram at @pepper_etsu.

To see photos, click here.

This press release was produced by East Tennessee State University. The views expressed are the author's own.