Who’s birthday is it? Juneau who! Beloved unofficial Fowler School of Law mascot celebrates 5th annum

In the lobby of the Dale E. Fowler School of Law, students, faculty and staff anxiously awaited the arrival of the guest of honor.

“Oh! Here she comes!” cried out one be-hatted party-goer.

With poise and aplomb, the petite blonde guest approached the celebration table, donned a ceremonial pointy cone hat, and proceeded to lick the knees and faces of gathered guests.

Juneau the Labrador retriever was turning five.

“You are such a good girl Juneau! Are you excited for your cake,” asked Jayne Kacer, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration at Fowler.

Juneau snuffed at the table in response. Candles were lit,
Happy Birthday
, now free of copyright regulation, was sung, and Juneau attacked her peanut butter and banana cake while the gathered crowd opted for more tradition birthday fare.

Juneau has been a staple of day-to-day life at Fowler since 2012. Kacer explained that year there was a rash of personal losses and faculty were trying to find ways to help those affected. Kacer knew that faculty and staff in other departments often would bring in their pets. So, she started bringing Juneau in just to be an extra-friendly, comforting face. It worked.

“Students really enjoyed seeing her,” Kacer said. Whether to stop in for treats and petting, or borrowing Juneau for a walk, Juneau is a draw for students at Fowler.

She has a costume for every season, as well as her own canine set of commencement regalia, adding gravi-paws to any event she attends. In her down time, she’s always around to offer a friendly tail wag or volunteer her ears for scratching to help weary or homesick law students in need of a furry friend. Juneau is nothing if not a giver, and will happily run to greet you at the door of Kacer’s office.

“Orientation was when I first met her,” said Kerri Polizzi, second year law student. “She was just running around the aisles.”

Polizzi and other students said it’s nice having a dog around — and Kacer’s open dog-door policy on “Tail-Wag” Tuesdays helped Juneau’s popularity spread.

“You can take her on a walk to go play in the fountains,” said Rachel Noblett, second year law student. “Everybody loves Juneau.”

 

In top featured image: Jayne Kacer serves up a specialty peanut butter and banana cake to Juneau.