When History professor Richard Beeman returns from leave next semester, he will have a special adviser in tow.
Bernese mountain dog Annie Oakley will soon become a fixture in College Hall, just as other faculty pets have become mascots in buildings around campus.
"I've been bringing my dogs to work for about 15 years -- they've always been an important part of my life," Beeman says.
"It started by bringing my wonderful golden retriever into school with me, but then the high point of my fanaticism came with my next dog -- a Bernese mountain dog named Chief Justice John Marshmallow, [who] came to work with me nearly every day," Beeman says.
As former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Beeman frequently had to work extended hours and found it especially comforting to have Johnny by his side.
"Johnny came to work with me every day, and he became an identifiable symbol of the College -- the friendly face of the College."
"Johnny served the purpose not only of making my work day happier, but I think he also made the days of many people who came to see me much happier," Beeman says.
Assistant Director of Academic Advising in the College Alice Kelley has been bringing her toy poodle, Button, into work for nearly three and a half years.
"She comes on the train with me in a little bag, [and] the response has been fabulous. Almost everyone in the office loves her," says Kelley, who notes that the staff of the Registrar's Office has a special biscuit supply for Button, and that she frequently gets asked to bring the dog when the employees are under stress.
According to James Serpell, professor of humane ethics and animal welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine, no scientific evidence exists relating low stress levels to having pets in the workplace, but "there's plenty of research indicating that companion animals benefit people both emotionally and physically as another form of social support."
"It's very evident from many, many studies that people's health" improves as a result of owning a pet, Serpell adds.
Professors who bring their pets to work also advocate this view.
"When I have students who come in who are sad about things, ... just having her here being furry and peaceful and sitting on their laps giving them a lick makes them feel better," Kelley says.
"I like to think that [Johnny] was a civilizing force in meetings between the dean and faculty and students that could sometimes be contentious," Beeman says.
After Johnny's passing, Beeman began traveling with Annie Oakley.
Annie, however, has not left her mark at Penn as much as she has at another well-known school.
When "I was a professor at Oxford University [last year] ... Annie was one of the first dogs from America allowed to go to England without having to go through the six-month quarantine. She traveled to England on a pet passport and was a well-known figure around Oxford University -- she's world-renowned," says Beeman, who is on leave for the current semester.
"When I begin teaching in the spring, I fully expect Annie to come to work," he notes.
Deborah Porter, building administrator for the Annenberg School for Communication, also brings her Bernese mountain dog, Micah, to work with her several times a week.
"He's like our mascot," Annenberg Financial Coordinator Regina Medlock says, adding that though she has experienced relatively few problems with Micah, one incident does stand out in her mind.
"One day, he did take my lunch," Medlock says, noting that after leaving her sandwich unguarded at her desk, she returned to find it scattered and torn apart on the floor.
Porter's other colleagues also like having Micah around.
"It's very enjoyable to have him here," says Associate Dean of Annenberg Suzanne Faubl, who notes that the days Porter does not bring Micah into the office seem more stressful.
"He goes everywhere with me. He loves to be in the car, [and] it has gotten to the point where he understands he needs to come" with me, Porter says.
Micah "makes them smile, most people want to pet him -- he's sort of a stress reliever when we're having exams. ... He's helping to make your day a little easier," Porter adds.
However, not all employees at Penn who have brought their pets into work have had a positive experience.
Professor of Classical Studies Peter Struck says that his Hungarian pointer, Bug, frequently howled at the sounds of sirens.
"My office is in stately Logan Hall, [so] a howling dog doesn't quite fit the atmosphere," Struck says.
"It was sort of homey to have a dog in there, [but] ... in the end it just wasn't quite working out right. I don't mind when other people bring their dogs in, [but] I think I probably won't do it anymore."
Porter, Beeman and Kelley all agree on the importance of taking students' and co-workers' concerns into account.
"One always has to be sensitive to the fact that some people are afraid of [dogs]. That's the downside of bringing your dog to campus," Beeman says.
"I cannot tell you the thousands of students over the course of bringing my dogs to work who stop me as I'm walking around campus [to tell me they] think that seeing a faculty dog on campus is a great joy," he adds.
Kelley notes that accommodating students who are uncomfortable with animals is something she takes very seriously.
"I had two students who are afraid of dogs, and they're uneasy with [Button], and we take her out and someone sits with her," Kelley says, adding that "the only problem we have in here is that she's a very successful beggar, and we have to watch her weight."
Button "is better known on campus than I am," Kelley adds.
"We call her our littlest adviser," says Flora Cornfield, assistant dean for advising and study abroad in the College.
Even Hermon Mebrahtu, business manager at the Annenberg Public Policy Center and a self-described non-dog person, enjoys Micah's company.
"I'm not usually a dog person, but he's pretty cool. I don't mind."
