{"id":220197,"date":"2023-02-27T12:51:33","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T17:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=220197"},"modified":"2023-05-03T11:45:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T15:45:23","slug":"montclair-state-university-welcomes-pebbles-the-pupscot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2023\/02\/27\/montclair-state-university-welcomes-pebbles-the-pupscot\/","title":{"rendered":"Montclair State University Welcomes Pebbles the \u2018Pupscot\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montclair State University\u2019s mascot, Rocky the Red Hawk, has a new best friend.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, February 23, Rocky and his team of student handlers were invited to University Hall to meet a special (and secret) guest \u2013 a puppy named Pebbles. Excitement and laughter filled the room as Pebbles the Pupscot<\/a> (puppy mascot) made her entrance. <\/p>\n

Pebbles will join Rocky in spreading Red Hawk pride on campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think having a puppy mascot is such a great addition to Montclair State University,\u201d says Team Rocky member Chaz Campbell, a senior Journalism major. \u201cDogs are so welcoming, and Pebbles will be the perfect ambassador for Montclair especially for those who aren’t familiar with how welcoming the University can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Team Rocky Member Chaz Campbell showing Pebbles some love. (Photo by John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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Rocky meets his new best friend, Pebbles for the first time.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n

Dogs visit the University for stress management and emotional support programming once or twice a semester, usually before midterms or finals. \u201cA goal of having Pebbles on campus year-round is to bring joy to students who miss their four-legged friends back home and those who could use an emotional pick-me-up,\u201d says Cindy Meneghin, director of Student Communications. \u201cWhen Pebbles is a year old, she will be able to be trained as a therapy dog,\u201d says Meneghin, who coordinated getting Pebbles and brought her to meet Rocky and the students, all of whom will be trained in handling Pebbles. \u201cWe want the students to know that there will be \u2018rules of engagement.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMeeting Pebbles was so much fun, and our spirits were definitely lifted,\u201d says Kyle Kennedy, a graduate student in English Education. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to see her around campus more!\u201d<\/p>\n

Thea Dyer, assistant director for Residence Life \u2013 Facilities and Pebbles\u2019 \u201cmom,\u201d shares how it\u2019s been having a puppy on campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the short time that she has been with us, she has brought such joy and excitement to the entire campus community,\u201d Dyer says. \u201cAs she comes to work in the Office of Residence Life daily, she has genuinely brought such a positive energy to our work environment. Whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, administrator or guest, she will bring a smile to your face and warm your heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Pebbles donning her Montclair red sweater on campus (Photo by John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pebbles is a mini chocolate labradoodle, born on November 1, 2022, and her \u201cgotcha day\u201d was February 17. She will live on campus with Dyer and will be seen around campus more as she adjusts to her new home.<\/p>\n

Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Dawn Meza Soufleris says the research is clear regarding the benefits of having canines on campus – \u201cespecially for the purpose of emotional support, providing a sense of belonging and as a method to reduce stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey can make a world of difference for a college community,\u201d says Soufleris. \u201cOur Pebbles will do just that: bring a feeling of \u201chome\u201d to our campus, and provide our students, faculty and staff some comfort during difficult times. In just a few short days, Pebbles is already making a difference. I could not be happier having her join the Red Hawk community! She already has won my heart!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Meeting students and warming hearts. (Photo by John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pebbles makes friends wherever she goes. (Photo by John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Members of Team Rocky meet Pebbles the Pupscot for the first time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Pebbles the Pupscot meets Team Rocky for the first time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visit Pebbles\u2019 website<\/a> to see more pictures and follow her instagram page @pebblesredhawk<\/a> for more updates. <\/p>\n

Story by Internal Communications Editor Brittany John<\/a>.<\/p>\n