Our beloved Ella, worked as a Per Diem employee at the O'Toole Library during finals, from 2011-2019.
Interview by Ilona MacNamara, Librarian
What is your background?
¾ Golden Retriever and ¼ Labrador.
When is your birthday?
October 28, 2008.
What type of training did you receive to be a therapy dog?
I had to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizenship Test and prove to be well-behaved in crowds, social events, around wheelchairs, crutches, etc.
How did the collaboration between you and the Theresa and Edward O’Toole Library develop?
My mother, Dr. Patricia Redden, of the Chemistry Department, approached the Director of the Libraries in 2011, to form this partnership. Since then, I have been a per diem employee at the Library, working a few hours during finals.
Students have commented that you reduce their stress. They describe you as friendly, sweet, comforting, well-behaved, soothing, and emotionally relaxing. What do you get from engaging with the students?
Carrots and lots of love. It also means I get to go to school again, like when I was a puppy.
What other organizations do you visit?
Christ Hospital and the Jersey City Five Corners Public Library.
You are very pretty. What is your beauty regimen?
You have to get a lot of sleep. I usually stretch out on my back on a big comfy sofa, with my head on a pillow which allows me to see and wave to my mom when she gets home. Of course, I need the occasional baths and have my coat and teeth brushed. I also like to do agility training to keep in shape. I’m a real California girl who loves to swim.
Do you like cats?
I have 2 cats at home, and they’re my best friends, particularly Smokey. He likes to sleep curled up next to me.
Describe a perfect day.
I begin the day with a big breakfast, and then a walk to meet friends. It continues with a nice nap, then cuddling with mom, snacks, another nap, more hugs, dinner, a run in the park with friends, and playing with a ball. My day concludes with a big dinner, more snacks, cuddling and then bed with mom and the cats.
My book recommendations:
1. Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean
2. Cinematic Canines: Dogs and Their Work in the Fiction Film by Adrienne L. McLean
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
4. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
5. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle