Introducing the newest and furriest member to the Merrimack College Police Department (MCPD) – Gus, an Australian Labradoodle.
Named after Merrimack’s patron saint, St. Augustine, Gus is currently training to serve as the College’s newest Therapy Dog. He is slated to join the campus community this fall.
“He completed a week-long obedience training that covered basic obedience and crate training and now he’s doing therapy dog training with Auntie Dog of Tewksbury, Mass., where other area police departments have sent their therapy dogs,” explained Brian Bliss, Gus’ handler and an officer with the Merrimack College Police Department.
Gus’ primary role on campus will be to provide comfort and emotional support to students, faculty and staff. Bliss says he sees Gus as being an instrumental part in bringing the campus together for the 2025-26 academic year and beyond. A dog lover his whole life, Bliss always hoped he’d one day get to patrol alongside a canine companion.
“I’m retired from the Windham Police Department in New Hampshire and we never had a canine program there,” he explained. “When this position became available, I thought it was a great opportunity to get involved and provide that emotional support on campus.”
Gus will be on campus four days a week and details on how to schedule an appointment with him are forthcoming.
“I’m looking forward to introducing Gus to the Merrimack community,” Bliss said. “It’ll be great for MCPD as well, having a puppy running around the office and putting a smile on people’s faces.”
