Photo courtesy of Majo Solís Prado
By Laura Troyer
The University of South Florida Police Department is expanding its therapy dog program, with a new K-9 joining the Tampa campus to support student well-being and community outreach efforts.
The new addition is set to arrive in early November and is inspired by the success of Snowbird, USF’s therapy dog who has become a beloved figure on the St. Petersburg campus since his arrival in 2024.
Trained through the Palmetto-based nonprofit Dogs Inc., the same organization that trained and placed Snowbird, the K-9 will be handled by Officer Amanda Branch.
Branch, a USF alumna who began her new role this summer, will receive the dog on Nov. 2 and complete a week of hands-on training before it begins making public appearances.
“Right now, Snowbird’s covering all three campuses by himself,” Branch said. “He’s working very hard, so we really need one for the Tampa campus. There is such a need for that comfort here.”
Branch said the program’s primary goal is to bridge the gap between students and law enforcement while bringing comfort to students. “The dog, without words, can comfort a person more than we sometimes can,” she said. “It’s about building trust and bringing a sense of belonging.”
According to Branch, the department does not yet know many details, including the dog’s name, breed or gender. Branch compared the anticipation to Christmas morning, as Dogs Inc. intentionally keeps that information private to allow for a natural first meeting and bond between the handler and dog.
The new K-9 will debut at the Tampa campus’ Bull Market and other student-centered events later this semester. Branch said the team plans a gradual integration to campus life in order to help the dog adjust before taking official appearance requests.
Snowbird’s handler, Officer Mark Lickenfelt, said the expansion reflects a growing demand for comfort animals across USF’s campuses.
The therapy dog program began as part of USF St. Petersburg’s 2024 wellness initiative under former Regional Chancellor Christian Hardigree and Chief of Police David Hendry. Since then, Snowbird’s presence has become a defining part of campus life.
Lickenfelt said Snowbird’s main role is to help students and staff experiencing stress, anxiety or emotional crises, but he also serves as a friendly face around campus.
Photo courtesy of Majo Solís Prado
Snowbird’s impact has gone beyond casual comfort.
Lickenfelt recounted several instances where the Goldador helped students navigate serious challenges, including during the aftermath of hurricanes and moments of intense personal crisis.
“I see students that come to this university and campus just because of Snowbird,” he said. “It helps them during times of stress and testing season – just petting him for five or 10 minutes makes their day so much better.”
Lickenfelt and Branch plan to work together once the new dog arrives, coordinating training sessions and events across campuses. The addition will also ease Snowbird’s busy schedule, as he currently rotates between USF’s three campuses several times a month.
“It’s going to help out tremendously,” Lickenfelt said. “We’ll be able to work big events together. She can come over here and I can go over there. It will be a partnership.”
Lickenfelt said his long-term goal is to see multiple therapy dogs serving each USF campus, ideally with two dogs at both the Tampa and St. Petersburg locations in the future.
For Victor Gallego, a biology student at USF St. Petersburg, Snowbird has become a symbol of comfort during stressful academic weeks. He said he is excited to see that same comfort extended to students at the Tampa campus.
“As a STEM major, classes aren’t easy. Having a little furry buddy just makes your day better,” he said. “Each campus should have one. There’s no downside to having a dog that turns your frown upside down.”
Dogs Inc. also partners with USF students through the St. Petersburg campus’ Puppy Love Club to help raise puppies for service.
Libby Hughes, a USF St. Petersburg student and Puppy Love Club member, said working with the dogs has helped her see the important role Snowbird and other service animals play on campus.
“I think it really brings the community together, especially with Snowbird. He is basically our real school mascot,” she said.
Hughes said she expects Tampa’s new dog to have a similar effect. “It will give their campus the same kind of community feeling that we have here,” she said.
For both officers, the therapy dog program represents a way to humanize the University Police Department and connect with students on a personal level.
Lickenfelt and Branch said they are excited to collaborate on this next chapter and anticipate the program’s continued growth in the coming semesters.
“Snowbird has made me a better person, and this job has changed my life completely,” Lickenfelt said. “Once we bring in Branch and her dog, man, it’s going to be exciting.”
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Written by: Laura Troyer on October 29, 2025.
Last revised by: Julia Ferrara
