Meet Morningside's new animal ambassador: Bette the golden retriever

But Bette's favorite job is being the Morningside University animal ambassador.

Bette, a 2-year-old golden retriever, has been chosen to serve as Morningside University's first animal ambassador. Bette's job is to be an on-campus presence, available for students, faculty and staff to pet and spend time with during the day.

Bette is owned by Alex Watters, Morningside's alumni engagement director and Sioux City Council member. She can be seen in the Krone Advising Center and around campus most days of the week. With her own office hours and fans, Bette has become a fond member of the Morningside community.

Bette is from a breeder in Kentucky. Watters is familiar with Bette's grandmother, and when the breeder announced they would be having one last litter with that bloodline, Watters was contacted to see if he was interested.

Watters picked up Bette on Valentine's Day 2022. As he started bringing her around campus more often and introducing her to the campus community, the staff at the advising center began discussing what it would look like to have a service animal on campus.

Erin Edlund, vice president for Morningside engagement, said they saw how students, faculty and staff were reacting to her presence and the comfort she brought people.

Throughout the nation, more and more colleges and universities are offering on-campus therapy dogs as a way to help students cope with mental health issues and college-related stress.

While Morningside has offered on-campus dog events during finals week, the past few years it has been canceled last minute and is only offered for a temporary amount of time.

Edlund said once they got the go-ahead, they created a sign on the door of the Krone Center to tell students and staff when Bette was in and out of the office.

Bette's first official day was in September. Since then, she has amassed quite the following, with many students stopping by each day to say hello before classes and exams.

Edlund said when asking students what they like about Morningside, the number one aspect is that they feel the campus is like a family.

“To have this dog that's sort of the family dog, just felt right," she said. "It's very much in line with our overall culture and what our students feel and experience here."

Edlund said many students who visit talk about their family dogs at home and share how Bette has made them feel less homesick. Other students stop by before or after exams to destress.

She said one student stopped by after learning her family dog had been put down.

"She got on the couch with Bette and the tears started, she petted Bette," she said. "She started to talk about her dog and by the time she left, she was better, you could physically see that she was better."

Edlund shared another story of a student who showed up and laid on the floor with Bette. She said the student needed a break and take some time to decompress.

She said the mental health crisis in the country is serious and there are still stigmas around seeking help and what help is offered.

Watters added many students stop by just to pet Bette for a few minutes before going on their way, and it's unspoken that they just needed a few minutes to decompress.

"If we can add one more thing for students so that they have a way to defuse their tension, to try to relieve some of that stress, or anxiety, this is a simple thing to do," Edlund said. "It's such a generous gift and we're so grateful for it."

Edlund and Watters said the goal is for Bette's presence to be expanded to admissions visits and events throughout the community. If the program is successful, Edlund said there is a chance the university could get a second animal ambassador.