Detective Melvin Ligon joined the Simmons University Public Safety Department in early 2021. In a recent interview, he shared information about a new colleague in the department: his German Shepard, Athena, who is training to be a comfort dog.
Have you worked with dogs before?
I worked a bit with military police dogs when I was in the Marine Corps in the early 2000s. I discovered a love for dogs and wanted to be affiliated with them at some point in my life.
Why did you name her Athena?
At a very young age I discovered a love for Greek mythology. Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, and the protector of the city of Athens. Ares was afraid of her, she was that strong. I liked all of the attributes of the goddess Athena.
What can you tell us about Athena's training process?
Athena has been a part of my family since she was about nine weeks old, after we adopted her from a breeder. I have a son who is autistic and, from a young age, I saw how calming Athena was with him. I thought she would be the right type of dog to do this training.
Not every dog can be a comfort/therapy dog. Dogs are loyal and love unconditionally, but not all dogs take to the training. I took it upon myself to start training Athena to see if she could take on that role down the road. She's not yet fully certified. The American Kennel Club requires a certification course and a canine good citizen course. Athena has attended puppy kindergarten and completed her first obedience course. She has one more obedience course and the good citizens course before she goes through certified therapy dog training.
Tell us about Athena's role on campus.
Now, Athena's role is a support role. Therapy dogs in general have been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rates, raise serotonin levels, and release endorphins and oxytocin in humans. Athena brings people comfort by walking around and meeting people, getting pets and belly rubs. She has a bed in my office and likes to roam around the Public Safety Department and make friends with everyone.
If she's at work and wearing her vest, she knows she's at work. She's calm, walks up to people, sits down, and lets people pet her. She knows that this is her job. Then she comes to me — "I did my job!" — and waits for a treat. When we come home and the vest comes off she's a bit more playful and carefree.
Where can students, faculty, and staff find her?
We're currently working on logistics of where she will be, and when. In the meantime, anybody can reach out to me via email or if you're so inclined you can come right to the Public Safety desk and there is a sign saying where she is. People will come to the desk and ask if they can see her.