Pepper has been a star around campus for three years now and will be celebrating her birthday alongside friends on Feb. 22.
Sgt. Dreama Pullon has been Pepper’s handler since Jan. 2022 following the retirement of Officer Bill Mitchell. Pullon has served in law enforcement for over 28 years. She has served 17 years in southwest Virginia and 11 years in the greater Washington County area.
“It’s a big change from going to a 600 square mile county to a 1.2-mile confinement, but my pleasure has been meeting the people,” said Pullon. “And now that I have Pepper, she and I can get out and meet the students a little bit more than I have in the last ten years of me being here.”
Pepper joined the ETSU Department of Safety in February 2020 after completing training of the Paws & Stripes Comfort Dog Program in Titusville, Florida. She will be accompanied by the Department of Safety and the Washington County K-9 unit on Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. outside of Starbucks in the D.P. Culp Center. Pullon encourages people to bring their own pets to celebrate with Pepper over doggy cake.
“Pepper on-campus is more business; she really loves her pets and her butt scratches and the treats the faculty give her. At home, Pepper is allowed to be a dog, so she can get on the furniture with me,” said Pullon. “She knows that in the morning when I put her vest on that this is her purpose, this is her goal today, that we’re going to try and make someone happy.”
Pullon said that it is always brings her joy to see students become excited over seeing Pepper. She knows that there are many students who miss their pets at home and is glad that Pepper can bring the emotional support and joy to students across campus.
Pepper can be found all throughout campus especially in the Culp, Burgin-Dossett and the Basler Challenge Course. Pullon wants to thank all faculty members and students for allowing her to become “Pepper’s human.”
For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at bucprevention@etsu.edu or call 423-439-4480. To become involved with the Department of Public Safety, contact Chief Cesar Gracia at graciac@etsu.edu or Sgt. Dreama Pullon at pullondr@etsu.edu.
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