Meet Our Facility Dog!
Xavier University is excited to welcome Narissa, a golden lab, to support the University's commitment to wellbeing by helping to decrease stress and improve moods through interactions with the Xavier students, staff, and faculty. Narissa is a Facility Dog who is specially trained to provide physical, social, cognitive, and emotional assistance to the Xavier community.
In Summer 2026, Xavier partnered with Circle Tail, Inc. and LOVE Like JJ to welcome Narissa (Nari) to campus in alignment with our University health and wellbeing efforts. As a full-time support resource, Narissa will:
- Provide courage and comfort in uncomfortable situations or spaces
- Increase self-confidence and self-esteem
- Assist in overcoming emotional barriers and re-establish trust
- Decrease stress and overwhelming anxiety
If you see Nari around campus, feel free to say hello!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of breed is Nari?
- Nari is a Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever mix
- Who are Nari’s handlers?
- Maria Merrill, Director of Student Wellbeing (primary handler)
- Kaity Rowe, TriHealth Wellbeing Coach & Student Wellbeing Services Supervisor
- Marybeth Sullivan, Associate Director of Health & Wellness
- Molly Dugan, Assistant Dean of Students
- Leah Busam-Klenowski, Assistant Vice President for Leadership & Engagement
- Rose Walton, Assistant Director for New Student Programs
- What is the difference between a service dog, facility dog, therapy dog, and emotional support animal?
- Service Dog — Individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability (e.g., guiding someone who is blind, alerting someone who is deaf). Protected under the ADA with broad public access rights.
- Facility Dog — A professionally trained dog that works with a handler (like a therapist, teacher, or courthouse advocate) to support multiple people in a specific setting, rather than one individual.
- Therapy Dog — A dog trained and certified to provide comfort and affection to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. They visit with their owner and have no special legal access rights.
- Emotional Support Animal (ESA) — A pet that provides emotional comfort to someone with a mental health condition through companionship alone — no specific task training required. They have more limited legal protections than service dogs (mainly housing).
- Where is Nari allowed on campus?
- Nari is allowed in all facilities on campus except lactation rooms, food preparation areas, kitchen areas, serving and dining areas, laboratories, mechanical rooms, and IT rooms.
- Why is Nari allowed in spaces where my ESA may not be allowed?
- As a facility dog, Nari has had extensive training to assist with stress reduction and increase positive wellbeing when she interacts with individuals. She also trains daily and will recertify on a recurring basis. There are specific policies in place that allow Nari to engage with the Xavier community and to ensure everyone stays safe.
- How should I interact with Nari when I see or meet her?
- If you would like to pet Nari, just let her handler know at that time. She really loves people, so she will come up to you after permission is given and smell your legs or feet. Nari enjoys pets on her chin, ears, and back, but please avoid her face and belly.
- When is Nari’s birthday?
- Nari’s birthday is January 1, 2024
- How did Nari get her name?
- Nari was born in 2024, which was the year of the dragon. She is named after Queen Narissa of the Disney movie Enchanted.
- Am I allowed to give Nari food or treats?
- No, Nari is on a strict diet and enrichment schedule and only her handlers are allowed to feed her.
- Can Nari play or interact with my dog on campus?
- No, Nari is a working animal supporting our campus community. Our handlers will not allow nose-to-nose interaction with other dogs.
- What if I’m allergic to dogs?
- Nari is a Golden Retriever and Labrador mix and is not hypoallergenic. Please let her handler know if you are allergic to dogs so that we can maintain appropriate space and distance. Individuals are not required to interact with Nari.
- What if I’m afraid of dogs?
- Nari has been specially trained to work with individuals and must always be on leash when interacting with people. Please let her handler know if you are uncomfortable around dogs so that we can maintain appropriate distance. Of course, individuals are not required to interact with her.
- Does Nari live on campus?
- No, Nari lives with her primary handler, Maria. She travels with Maria to Xavier Monday-Friday and leaves at the end of the day to return home.
- How long will Nari work at Xavier?
- Nari is expected to work at Xavier around 8 years, unless any unforeseen circumstances or health ailments arise that wouldn’t allow her to continue her work.