From Tinker, With Love: Paws with Purpose

Let’s Raise the Woof for Tinker’s 1-Year Anniversary! 🐾💚

One year ago, EMU welcomed a very special member to our campus community: Tinker, our beloved facilities dog!

Since then, she’s done far more than wag her tail and look adorable (though she excels at that too). Tinker has brought comfort, connection, and calm to our students, faculty, and staff, one paw at a time.

In her first year:

🐾 Tinker hosted 115 paw-ffice hour sessions in Marshall and Halle

🐾 She greeted an average of 8 students per session, with visitors sometimes topping 20

🐾 She’s been called a “celebrity,” a “lifesaver,” and “the best part of the week”

Over the past year, Tinker has built more than a presence—she’s developed quite the fan club at EMU, with students and staff forming a warm and welcoming community around her. Whether it's a quick tail wag between classes or a much-needed moment of calm, her presence has created space for connection, healing, and joy.

Here’s what some of her fans have shared:

“Tinker is the reason I got out of my apartment and came to campus today.”

“Visiting Tinker is the best part of my week.”

“I love seeing everyone light up when they see her coming — such a celebrity!”

“Tinker, you and I are going to be best friends!”

To celebrate Tinker’s one-year anniversary, we’re inviting the EMU community to support the EMU Therapy Dogs Fund.

Your gift helps cover Tinker’s care, including vet visits, grooming, and supplies, and supports our goal of growing her facility dog family on campus.

More dogs = more comfort, more support, and more smiles. Each new facility dog can reach more students, faculty, and staff by helping to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and create joyful moments across campus.

Want to show off your love for Tinker? We've got you covered! As a special thanks, all donors will receive a limited-edition Tinker sticker sheet while supplies last. It's our way of saying thank you for helping us keep the tail wags coming!

Let’s keep the good vibes (and the good doggos) coming for years to come. Whether you have met Tinker in person or cheer her on from afar, your gift makes a real difference.

Donate now and join Team Tinker! 🐶💚

📲 And don’t forget to follow her adventures on Instagram @emutinker!