Java is the grandson of Chai, a Cane Corso breed also employed as a Drexel therapy dog.
Three generations of therapy dogs are now Drexel Recreation Athletics employees, after grandson Java joined his mother Espresso and his grandmother Chai in an important role at the University: providing emotional support and plenty of Instagram-able moments to Drexel Dragons.
The first official event for the 19-month-old, 125-pound newest member of this Cane Corso therapy dog dynasty was one of the biggest and busiest held at Drexel during the year — Move-In Weekend 2019 — and Java hasn’t slowed down since.
“He’s very excited to be here,” says Janine Erato, Java’s handler, who was hired by Drexel as a package deal with Chai in 2016.
The “paw-pose” of bringing a therapy dog (or three) to Drexel is to soothe and bring joy to Dragons and help students transition to college life — and all of its complexities and stressors — while getting a new “leash” on life. The outreach, program and number of dogs has grown exponentially, expanding from one dog to three (plus two humans) and from covering one campus to all three campuses.
Java, Espresso and seven-year- old Chai work at Drexel for about 12 hours a week — every week, and not just around midterms and finals. Visits with Drexel’s therapy dogs are arranged for students as well as faculty and staff at no cost.
“We love Drexel and what we do here,” Erato says.
Donor support makes it possible for pups to lend a paw during ruff times.