Fresh out of training and breaking in new responsibilities, Augusta University’s mascot has some stiff competition this spring as the institution introduces its first police therapy dog – Charlie.
After acquiring Charlie as a personal dog in 2019, Capt. of Professional Standards Eric “Harry” Smith, of Augusta University’s Police Department (AUPD), said he immediately felt the Golden Retriever always made a great therapy dog for him.
“There’s nothing like a good dog to help keep you grounded. It just brings you back to living in the moment,” he said. “I’ve been in law enforcement for almost 30 years, and when you’re busy all the time it’s easy to get away from that, but for Charlie it’s all about the here and now. He helps me stay centered that way.”
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Inspired and encouraged by family members and police representatives from other universities, Smith said he became interested in certifying his five-year-old personal dog Charlie after researching the required training.
“I ran into two different K-9 handlers … and they both had police therapy dogs,” he said. “That’s when I got to thinking about being here all day and leaving Charlie home alone, and I considered how we could put him to good use here at Augusta University.”
Gaining approval from AUPD’s Chief Jim Lyon, Smith hunkered down and wrote a business plan while pouring in his money and personal time to certify Charlie.
“Since I already own the dog, this was a good way to pilot the program without bringing too much of a financial burden on the university,” he said. “I paid for all the training myself … it barely cost the university anything.”
After introducing Charlie to the Summerville Campus community via AU’s annual Take Back the Night ceremony, an event dedicated to sexual assault awareness, Smith said he believes the community will fully embrace university’s newest wet nose.
“It was really good because we got a great reception from the students that were there. We had a few that gave him a full force hug – buried their face in his fur and everything,” he said. “It was a really great connection point for those students … and that’s what this program is about – giving a momentary release from the regular stresses of day-to-day life.”
From easing students before final exams to comforting officers on campus after a difficult scenario, Smith said the friendly Golden Retriever will have the unique opportunity to positively impact people in a manner befitting the university’s values.
“He’s an amazing resource and I think he has a great disposition for this kind of work,” Smith said. “He’s just this big teddy bear … my hope is to have two to three really good hour-long outings on campus every week at least.”
Smith said such regular visits will not only allow Charlie to keep his skills sharp, but will also establish an ongoing and trusting connection between AUPD, students and staff.
“As a therapy dog, not only can he be effective in bringing people a little peace and joy, but also though it’s an effective means for us to make meaningful connections as an extension of police officers” he said. “Charlie’s kind of going to be the face of the department in a lot of ways and a great tool for us.”
Acting as a guardian of the community, Smith said he has quickly adapted to becoming Charlie’s “invisible” handler as the canine becomes increasingly popular.
“He’s the star of the show, and everybody loves him,” he said. “I mean, this isn’t the Harry Smith story – it’s the Charlie story. AU has never had a dog like this before, and as far as I know they’ve never really had any kind of dog before.”
With Charlie’s furry paws and smiling face on the scene, Smith aims for students and fellow officers to look forward to work and class in hopes of once again seeing their favorite long-haired playmate.
“We want to do things for our officers too, so Charlie is now part of that wellness offering, and so far the internal response has been absolutely wonderful,” he said. “I have a few staff members that on the daily ask me if Charlie is here.”
On call for all situations deemed fit for a therapy dog, Smith said the Charlie “pilot program” will actively work to greet new AU students in the fall, as well as calm victims of reported campus crimes when necessary.
“Even though he’s a big dog – he’s almost 100 pounds – he can still be very gentle,” he said. “He has that ability to interact and he’s very directable. Working for him is also just really fun. Every morning we have this ritual where he sees me pick up his harness and he does a Golden Retriever dance.”
Although the program is still in its early stages, Smith hopes Charlie’s work will open doors for many dogs in the form of a new AUPD resource.
“Ultimately, I just think there are tremendous opportunities ahead for us. Charlie gives us that in a fiscally non-impactful way,” he said. “I would love to see us be able to expand this program, because this is for the whole Augusta University community.”
To keep an eye out for more of Charlie’s adventures, follow the AUPD’s Instagram or Facebook at @augpolice
For more information about Augusta University’s Police Department, visit: https://www.augusta.edu/police/
