La ­Salle announced in Spring 2019 that students would be able to live with their dogs on campus throughout the academic year. In August, the University’s four-legged guests moved in to the newly renovated, dog-friendly residence hall at St. George.

This initiative has been made possible through the generosity of Stephen Degnan, ’87, Chief Human Resources Officer, Nestlé Purina and member of La ­Salle’s Board of Trustees, and a generous sponsorship and partnership with Purina. The new space includes a dog grooming and washing station, an outdoor dog-run with a watering station, a dog-friendly lounge inside St. George’s Hall, and training to help students prepare for successful and responsible pet-ownership.

The goal of increasing the pet paw print on campus is to help relieve the stresses of college life. The University’s hope in bringing student and dog together is to impart the knowledge of time management, budgeting, care for others, and camaraderie upon each Explorer. It is in these skills that the formation of the whole person and whole pet are realized. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new space and partnership with Purina was held Sept. 23 in the St. George lounge. The event included remarks from Degnan; University President, Dr. Colleen Hanycz; Dr. Dawn Soufleris, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management; and Cathleen M. Parsons-Nikolić, Vice President for University Advancement.

Other dog-friendly events that the University has implemented over the years include a traveling version of Purina’s National Dog Show, and stress-buster programs driven by Student Wellness including Pause for Paws and Bring your Dog to Work Day.

Though it started as an upperclassmen only initiative, the dog-friendly residence hall will be open to freshman starting in Fall 2020.

ribbon cutting to open dog friendly dorms

“We’re so grateful to Purina for their on-going dedication and innovative partnership with La Salle. This effort has generated a lot of excitement on campus and they are helping us to bring to life a vision for a dog-friendly campus.”

– CATHLEEN M. PARSONS-NIKOLIĆ, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT