When students head聽back to campus this fall, they鈥檙e likely to 鈥渟pot鈥 a new four-legged member of the Viking family. Otto,聽Salem State鈥檚 first campus community dog, reports for duty in September.聽Bringing聽Otto聽to campus was the vision of Gene Labonte, AVP/Chief of Police, who has long wanted a dog to help represent the department and spark more engagement with the campus community.聽
As a campus community dog, Otto鈥檚 role is to be a positive presence聽for students, faculty and staff. He鈥檒l be聽attending聽major events and聽making regular聽visits through campus聽with聽his owner,聽Nick DiFranco '11. Nick,聽a security systems engineer who works with the university police and information security team, has been working with Otto since he came home as a puppy last fall.聽(In true Salem State fashion, he joined his new family on Halloween.)聽聽
Otto, who turns聽one聽on September 5, is an Australian Cattle Dog. He has spent聽much of聽his first year exploring the beaches and patios of the North Shore聽to prepare for a very busy social life at Salem State. Since he was born to two working goat-herding dogs,聽it鈥檚 no surprise that Otto has been聽expending his puppy energy with聽plenty of games of fetch.聽
While his initial introduction to the bustle of campus life will be gradual, you鈥檒l notice Otto on campus more and more as the year progresses. You鈥檒l know him from his unique 鈥淧et Me鈥 vest, complete with SSU police badge. Be sure to come say hello to our newest Viking!聽