ST. LOUIS — They are two of the most popular figures on the campus of Washington University.
They don't pay tuition or live on campus and almost always skip class. They are known as the Comfort Dogs of Washington University.
Like any college campus, students put in long hours and the stakes are high.
"The students have very stressful curriculums and they're away from their families so getting them to be with our dogs on campus just relieves a little stress in their lives," said Washington University Police Chief Angela Coonce.
Meet Bear and Brookie, the Comfort Dogs of WashU. Officer Greg Casem wrote a formal proposal to get the dogs on campus. "They miss their dogs, and it makes them happy. So Chief Coonce looked at me and said, 'We're getting dogs,'" Casem said.
A student hugs one of the dogs and poses for the camera: "Bear, can you say hi?"
These two special dogs come with a sad backstory. They were part of a litter of pups found dumped in rural Missouri.
"Not even the safety of a trash can. Cars were whizzing by, back when we had single digits about a year and a half ago," said Officer Jesse Siefert. A good Samaritan brought the puppies to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
They visited the local shelter, and it was an instant match. "Chief Coonce just reached into the cage and pulled two puppies out and said, 'These are our dogs,'" Casem said.
Now they are everyone's dogs.
"I have 2 dogs at home so having a bunch of emotional support animals here has been so amazing for me," said student Natalie Gunter as she pets one of the dogs.
"They can train in light, deep pressure therapy. They can sit on your lap. Press into you for anyone who's going through a crisis, a panic attack or an anxiety attack," Seifert said.
Spotting the team is easy: just look for the crowd, or on Instagram.
"I'd see them on the Instagram and one of the first things I wanted to do is go find these dogs." said student Amanda McLaughlin.
And they've added to the pack. Misty is a former bomb sniffing dog at Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Then there's puppy Archie who was found by Stray Rescue.
They're so popular, students will soon be able to get a Build-a-Bear version of the duo.
Two former neglected pups who've found their purpose... and their special home.
"Rags to riches is what we always say. They got a job and 20,000 friends in one day. I mean, how lucky," Siefert said.