By: Emma Liarikos | Co-Editor-in-Chief
If you go to Salve, chances are you know and love Ruggles, the campus comfort dog. Back in 2021, Salve Regina became the first college or University in Rhode Island to have a comfort dog on campus. Since then, Ruggles has been a constant source of hope and comfort for students.
Ruggles brought more than just comfort – he brought a sense of community with him as well. The PAWS Program (Pawsitive Alliance With Students), was founded when Ruggles became a member of the Salve Regina community. Since 2021, this program has sought to strengthen relationships with the student body, faculty, and campus population at large. According to the program’s website, the PAWS program fosters “community engagements and open lines of communication,” allowing students to “play a role in creating and maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.”
It is no secret that Ruggles has made a huge impact, but his handler, Michelle Caron, can attest to the day-to-day interactions students have with Ruggles. She said, “He brightens up everyone’s day; sometimes people just need a few minutes with him and they leave feeling better than they came in.”
Ruggles has also been a tool for outreach within theDepartment of Public Safety on campus. Caron reflects on the ways Ruggles has bridged the gap between herself and the undergraduate students. “The biggest thing for me doing this is I’m building relationships with students. They’re coming here to see him, but they’re also coming here to talk to me.”
David Roy, Public Safety and Transportation Administrator in the Department of Public Safety, echoes Caron’s sentiment. “They come in and see Ruggles and Michelle, and they’re also learning about other things that are available to them,” he said.
Not only do we here on campus feel his impact, but the community at large does as well. Thanks to generous donors, the Department of Public Safety will be outfitting a current vehicle honoring Ruggles and his work here at Salve. This car concept idea originated with former director of Public Safety, Mike Caruolo, is now finally coming to fruition. The maintenance for the next five years will also be fully funded by donors.
The Ruggles Car will be officially unveiled at Newport’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Its design elements speak to the influence Ruggles has had on the institution, as well as the major characteristics that make Salve special.
“We want to have the car represent where Salve is located,” Roy said. “We took Ochre Court and the Cliff Walk, and the arch gates of Salve, where everyone takes their picture. These are the most iconic things on campus and to the City of Newport”
In addition, the car showcases an adorable picture of Ruggles and two PAWS’ decals on the sides, and a large PAWS emblem on the front hood, representing the program in hopes of generating more awareness on and off campus. The marketing team at Salve Regina has worked closely with the Department of Public Safety to create the design for this vehicle. The Department would also like to thank Cary Siegler at GT3 Creative in Jamestown, R.I., for making the idea come to life.
This vehicle is more than just Ruggles’s sweet new ride – it is a marketing tool. The Department of Public Safety and the Salve Marketing Department hope that this newly outfitted car and all it represents will draw people to visit the campus. They are looking to generate buzz about Salve when Caron and Ruggles venture outside of the streets of campus. The vehicle will have the school’s web address as well.
“We want people to come to see Ruggles outside of Salve, and then they may ask about Salve as well,” Roy said.
