UTC has rolled out the red carpet for its first Chief Canine Officer, a 6-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer named Gunther, affectionately known as Gunny.
Gunny, who previously served as a vapor wake canine, is now a familiar face on campus, alongside UTC Police Chief Sean O’Brien.
Chief O’Brien and Gunny’s partnership began in 2021 at the Chattanooga Police Department, where they were paired through a grant for a canine unit.
When I purposely walked across campus in the middle of the day in uniform, just myself, it was very challenging to make any connection with any students walking across campus,” said O’Brien. “And I did the same thing the next day, but I had him with me, and it was the complete opposite. Students were willing to stop and talk.
Gunny’s name pays homage to O’Brien’s German heritage and honors the lives lost in the July 16th terror attacks in Chattanooga.
Despite retiring in 2023 after having a tumor removed, Gunny continues to tag along with Chief O’Brien on campus a couple of times a week…