Professional Staff Pet Corner

One of the gifts most of us share is the warmth from our beloved pets. Here are a few pictures of the fury family members of our fellow colleagues.

Sadie and Darnell Perkins

Sadie (aka Sadie Pup or Pupsicle) Perkins

She is a lover of humans, hikes, and happiness. And the ocean! (Pic is from Pass-a-Grille beach in St Petersburg FL the day after Christmas).

 


 

black lab

Vizor St. John

Vizor works here in Music and is quite popular. If I’m out walking him, folks I don’t know will scream his name from across the mall and come say hi. He’s also been scouted for roles in student films!

 


 

Dog Louie in pink flowered field

Luigi Bruno-Bates

We adopted Luigi in February 2025 at four months old from Good Karma Dog Rescue after our neighbor fostered him. Two DNA tests later, our “maybe-corgi” was revealed to be a full-on Super Mutt—with little beagle legs, a husky-sized head, and a serious love of destroying stuffies—yet somehow still the sweetest love bug we could ask for.

 


 

Parker

Parker

Erica Kelly’s 11-year-old rescue Carolina Dog (or American Dingo). Despite clocking in at about 75 pounds, she still thinks she’s a lap dog and loves snuggles, pats, and meeting other people and dogs.

 


 

White Cat and orchid

Alma Martin-Ruiz

Meet Alma, our 4-month-old kitten whose name means “soul” in Spanish. After losing both our cat and dog last summer, I let my husband convince me that we needed a new pet. We went to the Humane Society in New Rochelle looking for an adult tuxedo cat, but Alma had different plans. She chose me instantly, climbed into my lap, and refused to leave. She’s playful and fun, yet somehow also a professional lap-sitter who allows endless belly rubs. Now every time the kids ask me to do something for them, my standard answer is “I’m sorry, I can’t, I have a cat on my lap.” Alma is terrible for my productivity, but fantastic for my soul!

 


 

President and Nova


Nova

“Nova is the President’s family pet and she has been delighted to join the Purchase family as well! She loves coming to campus to meet new friends.” If you have not had the pleasure of meeting her, you should she is very sweet, loving and playful, she is a pleasure to have in the office.