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Help Name UMPD’s New Comfort Dog

By Karen Shih ’09

The fuzziest and cuddliest member of the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) has just arrived on campus—and he needs your input on his name.

From now until Sept. 10, you can go online and vote for what you want the 10-week-old chocolate Labrador, who will serve as UMPD’s new comfort dog, to be called. Mocha, Foster and Teddy are among the eight options.

You’ll get a chance to meet the little guy, with his big green eyes and wagging tail, in just a few more weeks. By Homecoming, he’ll start his duties by serving as a UMPD ambassador at campus events—via friendly licks and vigorous tail wags—and calming community members during times of tragedy and crisis.

“Dogs can help reduce anxiety,” says UMPD Chief David Mitchell. “We’ve seen how well a comfort dog works for community outreach at other campuses, and we’re proud to join our partners in campus policing to bring this program to College Park.”

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