River Pyle has been working like a dog since starting at the School of Natural Resources August 19. Yet, with nary a word to anyone, the new employee has managed to befriend all who have come in contact with her.
Well, except Homer.
River and her older brother, Jonas, are therapy dogs working alongside Kenneth Pyle, student success coach. The labradoodles greet students and staff and offer an empathetic ear and occasional canine cuddle.
Of course, there is that teensy-weensy matter about Homer. When Pyle took River and Jonas to a Salt Dogs game, the dogs made it clear they didn't care for Homer, the mascot costumed as a dog. Still, like most dogs, the two readily accept others and serve as a judgment-free sounding board.
"What I see as a benefit of having dogs around is they break down barriers," Pyle said about his canine coworkers. "They really melt people's hearts, if you will, and get people talking to each other."
Read the rest of the story about River, Jonas, and Kenneth at https://snr.unl.edu/aboutus/what/newstory.aspx?fid=1281