UK Employees and Their Pets
Pet Profiles
Marguerite Floyd, Hospital Documentation Manager
Chari, Nicholas, and Flash
Charli is an African brown-headed parrot. She's very sweet but shy with strangers. She teaches me everyday that it's often best to consider things upside down. Nicholas is a regular gray cockatiel. I received him as a rescue bird about 7 years ago; we think he is around 20 years old now. He loves everyone and always has a positive attitude. Flash is also a regular gray cockatiel. This picture is when he was a baby about 9 years ago. He doesn't really like people unless there are treats involved.
Cortland F. Eble, Geologist, Energy and Minerals Section, Kentucky Geological Survey
Baby Ruth, Three-Year-Old Beagle
Ruth is a very sweet dog and loves attention. She is the first to bed (on the bed!) in the evening and last to get up in the morning. As with most beagles, she is prone to wandering, following whatever scent she has found. In fact she has been to Krogers by herself. Yes, she wandered one day last year and found out that the doors at Kroger open automatically. As I was driving through the parking lot and calling for her, a woman came up to me and asked, “are you looking for a beagle? To which I answered "yes." "Oh, she’s in Krogers!"
Gloria V. Sams, MA, Kentucky Cancer Program
Gloria with Joey, and Joey with a patient
I coordinate and am president of the the Love on a Leash (LOAL) Therapy Dog program in Somerset, KY (Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy). LOAL is a national organization founded in 1984 which offers testing, certification, and insurance for volunteer therapy pet teams consisting of handler and dog (or cat--we certify cats too!). Our volunteers make 12-14 regular facility visits per month, including Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center. There is also a chapter of Love on a Leash in Lexington, Kentucky and individuals may be certified as therapy pet teams in any location. It is a wonderful way to enjoy your pet by sharing him or her with people who need their healing presence--in mental health, health care, educational or assisted living facilities. Our group also fosters literacy and a love of reading by regular visits to our county libraries and some schools where children read to the therapy dogs as a non threatening, nonjudgmental presence. My University of Kentucky friends and colleagues are welcome to contact me for more information or visit our national web site: www.loveonaleash.org
Betsy Cornett, Human Resources, Training and Development
Carolina, Australian Dingo, and Teacup Chihuahua, Betsy's grand-dog (with nephew, Will)
Ward Suthon, UK Human Resources, Business Officer
Comus,
Lab Mix
Comus came into my life when he was 6 month old. The Winchester Humane Society said that he was from a litter born on September 11, 2001 so each year his birthday makes that day a little bit better.
Sherri Murphy-Goins, UK Human Resources, Employee Relations Supervisor
Rafiki (with husband, JR), three-year-old Great Dane
"My two best friends."
Diane Kohler, UK Human Resources, Career Development Program Manager
My first Great Pyrenees, Mack, age 4.
Loved to run, romp, and 'dance' in the backyard.
Unfortunately, we never got good enough for Dancing with the Stars!"
"My two 'girls', Annie and Bella, both adopted from Jessamine Humane Society.
They are the gentle giants of the neighborhood and LOVE all the attention from children.
"My current 'foster pup' Porter,who I'm training with hope he will find a forever home.
Porter is from the Woodford Humane Society and is about 8 months old. He was SO proud the day we took this picture. He was finally big enough to look over the deck!"
Christine Amerman, Assistant Director, James W. Stuckert Career Center
A lifelong animal lover, my dreams of owning dogs and horses have just come true in the past few years.
Eisley is the first dog I've ever owned, and I adopted her after training 2 Golden Retrievers for work as service dogs. A 1 year old Australian Shepherd, she came from Jessamine Humane Society and is such a fun, happy presence in my life! Very smart and energetic, her favorite place is the farm, where she "helps" by trying to herd the horses and cows.
Viva, Graley, and Zara are my 3 straight Egyptian Arabian horses. This breed is the friendliest I've ever encountered. I also think they're the smartest and most beautiful, but I'm a little bit biased. After wanting a horse my entire life, I received Graley as a gift when he was a baby. Now 3, he is the sweetest, most laid-back soul, and I've just started riding him, which has been one of my proudest accomplishments. Zara is 2 and is a regal, glamorous show-off! My newest addition, Viva, was born in April 2008 and her father was just released as a Breyer model horse!
All of my pets make my life better every day. They depend on me and maybe even more, I rely on them.
Nichole M. Knutson, M.S.ED, Associate Director, Robinson Scholars Program
Scarlett “Doodle,” two-year-old Golden Retriever
We rescued Scarlett from Jessamine Humane Society. This picture was taken after a hard swim in Wisconsin.
Maybel Raye, three years old
who, like a typical Beagle, was thinking with her stomach and eyeing up supper on the kitchen table.
Hazel Jo, five years old (we think)…
another Jessamine Humane Society rescue. Hazel was returned to the shelter numerous times, has a broken tail, epilepsy and a kidney disorder but who could resist that lovable face? Certainly not me!
We would like to hear about how your pet enriches your life. E-mail us today to share your story. Send a picture, your name and department, your pet's name, and a brief story about your pet to the Work-Life Office.
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