Pups Pawing Around Grounds

Collage of various dogs

Graphic by Ziniu Chen, University Communications. (Contributed photos)

At the University of Virginia, dogs are welcome to enjoy the all the green space the Grounds have to offer – as long as they clean up after themselves. From students to faculty members to visitors, many people bring their pups to experience UVA’s Lawn and gardens.

Recently, we caught up with five of those dogs and their owners to find out what makes their tails wag. 

Traveling Golden Retriever

Dog’s Name: Gibbes

Owner’s Name: Maggie Poandl, a 2008 alumna of the College of Arts & Sciences

Story behind the photo: Last year, my work went virtual with COVID (I am a mental health therapist), and so I decided to live in places across the country that I had always wanted to go! Gibbes and I set out together last August, and we have been “nomading” ever since. We crossed the country and back again last fall and winter, and en route this summer from North Carolina to Montana, I decided to spend a weekend in beloved Charlottesville to show Gibbes his mama’s alma mater! I got Bodo’s every morning (and he got some, too), and we spent time relaxing and playing on the Lawn and walking around Grounds. He loved UVA and Charlottesville as much as I do!

Mini Golden Doodle at Parents’ Alma Mater

Dog’s name: Sofie

Owner’s name: Jessica Dross Rogers

Story behind the photo: My husband and I met at UVA and got married at Veritas back in 2018, so it is a very special place for us. We try to come back to Charlottesville every year, and this time was the first time we were able to bring Sofie with us to explore where we spent so many fun years! She absolutely loved rolling around on the Lawn and all the scratches and pets she got.

Sprinkler-Loving Labradoodle

Dog’s name: Rosie

Owner’s name: Jayne Flax, a May graduate of the Darden School of Business

Story behind the photo: Last summer, I would take Rosie on morning walks, and Rosie found she LOVED the 6:30 a.m. sprinklers at Lambeth Field! She would run all around having the time of her life embracing some summer fun! Got her as a puppy in Charlottesville, so she really grew up on Grounds!

Hounds Around Town

Dogs’ names: Left to right, Zolly, Penne and Macaroni

Owner’s name: Kate Goodrich

Story behind the photo:  Many years ago, I got my M.Ed. at UVA in exercise physiology. We enjoy walking around the UVA campus, Charlottesville and the greater C’ville area and chasing away all of the squirrels. Ha! Macaroni sadly passed away from cancer a month ago, but we are trying to still live it up each day in his memory!

Bernedoodle’s First Rotunda Visit

Dog’s name: Brady

Owner’s name: Chandler Kerkam

Story behind the photo: I’m a second-year [student] at UVA and my parents also went here. This is a picture of Brady’s first time visiting UVA. We were so excited to take Brady to see the Rotunda!