From Rescues to Pawfficers: TXST Police Welcome New Therapy K9 Partners Mando and Baloo

Two new furry friends are now patrolling campus to bring support and calmness to students in high-stress environments or in times of crisis.

Following through on its commitment to expand the “Compassion-Based Policing” model, the Texas State University Police Department (UPD) has sworn in two new certified therapy K9s: Pawfficer Mando and Pawfficer Baloo.

A ceremony was held on Jan. 28 in the LBJSC Grand Ballroom, presenting an opportunity for the campus community to meet the Pawfficers and their handlers. 

“Our students’ well-being is at the heart of everything we do,” said UPD Chief Matthew Carmichael. “These therapy dogs bring calm, connection, and unconditional support. Their journey, from rescue to service, mirrors the resilience and hope we want every student to feel here at Texas State.”

Led by Corporal David Velasco-Martinez and Corporal Monique Grijalva, the teams recently returned from an intensive week of training and certification in Florida. These additions transform the university’s mental health program from a strategic vision into a daily reality for the Bobcat community.

Each Pawfficer will patrol campus on alternating days from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. 

During their rehabilitation at Paws and Stripes College, they were paired with county jail inmates who worked alongside certified professional trainers. This partnership provided a “second chance” for the dogs to heal while giving the inmates a meaningful role in public service. 

Velasco-Martinez, an alum (’19), is focused on UPD’s mission to change how law enforcement interacts with those in need. As a certified mental health officer (MHO), he sees Pawfficer Mando as the ultimate tool for connection.

“This program showed me so much in just three shifts in working with Mando,” Velasco-Martinez said. “I have interacted with many staff and students at Texas State, and these interactions bridge a path to communicating with our community, ultimately allowing the police department to provide a better service to the community.” 

Velasco-Martinez and Grijalva, both of whom are certified and dedicated MHOs for the university, spent the week in Florida undergoing certification. This training ensures the Pawfficers can navigate high-stress environments and provide trauma-informed support during crises.

The teams spent time working on basic obedience training and traveling to high-populated locations to gain experience interacting with people of all ages.

“Training with Baloo taught me how to lead with patience, presence, and awareness,” Grijalva said. “Every interaction requires reading behavior, managing environments, and creating a sense of safety.”

"Those same skills directly translate to Texas State University, where building trust, de-escalating stress, and supporting students’ well-being are just as critical as enforcement.” 

The arrival of these K9s marks the fulfillment of the initiative announced earlier this year by Chief Matthew Carmichael. By embedding these Pawfficer teams alongside the department’s first full-time victim advocate, UPD is creating a comprehensive support system for TXST.

“This program is powerful because it’s built on collaboration and redemption, rescued dogs, trained by inmates, now working alongside our officers to support students,” said Carmichael. “It’s a reminder that when we invest in care and purpose, lives both human and canine can truly change.”