Four CORE officers smile outdoors with two dogs on the UC Davis campus
Leia and Cali pose with CORE Officers Joe Connors, Marcus Scott, Jenny Choc, and Rob Sotelo outside the Katherine Esau Science Hall in January 2026. (Photo by Anjie Cook of FOA Communications)
Yellow Labrador retriever in pink harness with front paws on table
Cali at the sign-in table at the 2026 FOA All-Staff Meeting. (Rosa Li/FOA Communications)
Smiling CORE officer kneels with black-and-white dog beside Gunrock mascot in jersey in a lobby
CORE Officer Joe Connors and Leia pose with Gunrock at the 2024 FOA All-Staff Meeting. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Two people crouch to pet a yellow Labrador retriever, lying on its back
Cali gets petted by students on campus in March 2024. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
CORE officer leans over, smiling, posing with a yellow lab sitting on a bench
Cali and CORE Officer Rob Sotelo pose on a bench outside the Memorial Union in March 2024. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Yellow Labrador retriever stands on its hind legs against a welcome desk. The person behind the desk pets the dog while the handler, a CORE officer, stands on the other side
Cali and CORE Officer Rob Sotelo at the welcome desk at the Memorial Union. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Four CORE officers walking with two leashed dogs along a tree-lined path
CORE Officers Joe Connors, Tabbasum Malik (former CORE officer), Marcus Scott, and Rob Sotelo walk with Leia and Cali outside the Student Community Center in October 2024. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Candid photo of several people petting a black and white dog on its back
Leia receives petting from UC Davis employees after the 2024 FOA All-Staff Meeting. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Smiling CORE officer stands besides a black-and-white dog on the UC Davis campus
CORE Officer Joe Connors poses with Leia outside of the Student Community Center in October 2024. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Yellow Labrador retriever wearing a gentle leader and leash, sitting on the grass
Cali looking at the camera while at the 2024 Thank Goodness for Staff picnic. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)
Man kneeling and smiling beside a yellow Labrador retriever in a pink harness
Cali and CORE Officer Rob Sotelo in the UC Davis Conference Center at the 2026 FOA All-Staff Meeting. (Anjie Cook/FOA Communications)

We’ve Watched These K-9s Grow — Bridging Community and Campus Police

  • by Clare Shinnerl

Many of us have seen the same moment play out.  

Vice Chancellor Clare Shinnerl
FOA Vice Chancellor Clare Shinnerl

Before a meeting begins or as it winds down, people are gathering, catching up, checking their phones. Then Cali or Leia walks into the room, and things shift. Conversations pause, people smile, someone kneels down: a simple interaction becomes a moment of connection.  

It’s easy to think of that as a light moment, a welcome break in the day. But it’s also something more. We’ve watched these puppies grow up on our campus. In that time, they’ve purposely changed how people experience campus police.  

UC Davis was the first UC to introduce a companion dog. Many of you may remember Charlie – our black lab who helped pioneer the shift from traditional working dog to companion role. After 13 years of service, we sadly said goodbye to Charlie, but his impact continues.  

That legacy has continued through the generosity of donors who have made this program possible. Cali, our first certified therapy dog, and Leia, now training to support high-stress and PTSD-related situations, were both gifted to the university and carry that work forward as part of a different approach to policing – one that starts with connection and helps people feel more at ease reaching out.  

At UC Davis, we’ve been working for years to rethink what public safety looks like. That work shows up in policies, partnerships and programs, but also in smaller, more human ways — like a dog that helps someone pause, smile and stay a little longer.  

Together, these K-9 partners reflect a broader commitment to building a campus where people feel safe, seen and comfortable being themselves. 

Other UC campuses are starting to take notice and follow. In fact, Cali’s sibling is now at UC San Diego!  

Cali and Leia both celebrate birthdays this month. If you see them, I hope you’ll wish them a happy birthday. We’ve watched them grow, and in many ways, they’ve helped us grow too. 

Primary Category

Vice Chancellor Messages

Secondary Categories

Insight

Tags

Vice Chancellor Messages