Pets Helping with Remote Working, Teaching, and Learning
Graduate students and staff alike shared photos of their pets helping them work, teach, and learn remotely in 2020. Have a helpful pet you’d like to share with the Graduate School community? Use the link in the weekly Graduate School Announcements newsletter, and we’ll feature your pet!
Alexandria Albano
Master’s Student, Archaeology
“Memphis has been helping me stay sane and not become lonely. She is a supportive companion during this time while I grade and make final edits on my M.A. thesis. She also loves to steal my desk chair to nap!”
Sarah Allen
Doctoral Student, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology
“Oscar wants to remind us all to take a break sometimes!”
Katherine Baker
Doctoral Student, Nutrition
“Now that the weather is getting nicer, Millie is eager to be outside as much as possible. I’ve started working outside (in a private location to maintain social distance, of course) from time to time to mix up my work environment. The fresh air is nice!”
Kelly Baxendell
Master of Public Health Student
“I always have to leave out an extra notebook for Frank if I’m taking notes because he’ll sit on the one I’m using, even if I’m in the middle of writing.”
Jessica Brey
Master of Professional Studies Student, Horticulture
“Allura doesn’t exactly help but her judgmental looks help me improve my work. When she isn’t judging me she spends her time stealing my highlighters, hah!”
Michael R. Buche
Doctoral Candidate, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
“This is Charlie. She is a baby. Charlie just turned two on June 9th. Charlie loves to eat, swim, and see other doggies. She is a bundle of pure joy and distracts me all day long while I attempt to work, which I enjoy.”
Celine Cammarata
Doctoral Student, Human Development
“Detective Munch (a one year-old Russell Terrier) is helping with data analysis.”
Marti Dense
Program Administrator, Latina/o Studies Program
“Working from home with some help from Miss Sadie!”
Denise DiRienzo
Experiential Program Director, Careers Beyond Academia, Graduate School
“Rosie is anxiously waiting for play time. Apparently all the Barbies in the background are not playing with her!”
Elizabeth Ellis
Senior Director of Communications, Graduate School
“My helper, Moose…always ready to chase a squirrel…”
Jullien Flynn
Doctoral Student, Genetics, Genomics and Development
“Molly the rat pauses to check on my script-writing progress.”
Jen Forbes
Big Red Barn Operations Manager, Graduate School
“Eloise ‘helping’ by knocking paper off my table then standing on anything that lands on the floor.”
Tanya France
Doctoral Student, Animal Science
“Mango only wants my attention when my laptop is open! Then I have this adorable face watching my every move!”
Juliana Gonzalez-Tobon
Doctoral Student, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
“These guys were very confused when this all started because they used to colonize my chair as soon as I left for campus every morning. They have progressively accepted that now I need it all day! It is an ongoing negotiation. (You can find more pictures of them at @les_anime_chats on Instagram.)”
Shaun Hogan
Doctoral Student, Physics
“My dog, Milo, is helping me to check some plots before sending them out to the group!”
Susan Holzmer
Master of Professional Studies Student, Veterinary Medical Sciences
“Earl has decided that the pen is going to have to go.”
Katya Hrichak
Communications Assistant, Graduate School
“My dog, Jessie, ‘helping’ me focus during a weekly check-in meeting with my supervisor. A downside to having your workspace in your bedroom!”
Bethany Jones
Master’s of Public Administration Student, Cornell Institute for Public Affairs
“Mogli helps me by rearranging my desktop files while looking for the perfect sunbeam.”
Kaitlin LaGrasta
Master’s Student, Archaeology
“Llama snoozing in his cat hammock next to my desk. He spends most of the day sleeping but his office hours are from 3-5pm, during which he yells at me in anticipation of a wet food dinner.”
Rosemary Lang
Data Reporting and Analysis Manager, Graduate School
“Here is my dog, Bodhi, fact-checking a few things, before Data Solutions releases a new report. It is good to have a fact-checker!”
Anne Laughlin
Director of Assessment, Graduate School
“My cat, Puddy, likes to ‘supervise’ from a comfy chair or my lap.”
Astara Light
Doctoral Student, History of Art, Archaeology, and Visual Studies
“My cat, Neko, loves keeping me company while I’m doing research and coursework. Here she is re-organizing my workspace for optimal productivity.”
Max Lipton
Doctoral Student, Mathematics
“Ampi is 15 and has been with me for most of my life, but she’s still going strong! She meows incessantly every night and her speeches are always full of wisdom.”
Alyssa Lopez
Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, Graduate School
“Here is Mika testing out my workstation.”
Colleen McLinn
Executive Director, Future Faculty and Academic Careers, Graduate School
“My animal helper, Whiskey, was excited that I installed a keyboard tray, clearly to free up more top of desk space for him.”
Avalon Monti
Master of Public Health Student, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Concentration
“Apparently he does not find survival analysis lectures as interesting as I did.”
Laura Mortelliti
Communications Assistant, Applied and Engineering Physics
“Drake is a six year old rescue who is very quirky and goofy and sometimes snores on the job, but overall he is a great Morale Manager.”
Christine Muron
Master’s Student, Archaeology
“Always a multitasker, Darla is an expert in guarding my library books and posing for her next glamour shot. Darla will be celebrating her 19th birthday this summer!”
Marika Nell
Doctoral Candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering
“My cat, Heisenberg, is normally a great mascot and provides moral support for my writing and data processing by napping nearby. Occasionally, he reminds me to take a break by co-opting my keyboard!”
Rachel Neugarten
Doctoral Student, Natural Resources
“My dog, Curu, helps me keep a consistent schedule, gently reminding me when it’s time to take a break, go for a walk, or stop for the day.”
Zoe Pollard
Doctoral Student, Biological and Environmental Engineering
“My cat, Yang, always lends a comforting paw while I’m making slides for my A exam!”
Ryan Purcell
Ph.D. ’20, History
“Her name is Billie and she is honestly the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. She definitely has been helpful with dealing with quarantine.”
Donna Pinnisi
Graduate Field and Events Coordinator, Africana Studies
“Yes, my cat is bigger than my dog.”
Germán Reyes
Doctoral Student, Economics
“My girlfriend’s cat, Fenway, helps me to find bugs in my code!”
Allie Sholk
Master of Professional Studies Student, Natural Resources
“Hulu always makes a guest appearance on my Zoom calls, for classes or advising meetings!”
Eti Sinha
Doctoral Student, Biomedical Engineering
“Elon (@elonthecav) makes sure I take enough breaks and destress!”
Mike Skinner
Assistant to the Deans, Graduate School
“Our bird, Zeke, not so much ‘helping’, but sometimes expresses himself, beeps like the microwave, screams like a young child, tells the dogs to go lay down.”
Michael Suguitan
Doctoral Student, Mechanical Engineering
“Blossom is my robotic research project and assistant who holds me accountable while I write my thesis proposal/his biography.”
Rob Swanda
Doctoral Student, Biomedical and Biological Sciences
“Cy (short for Cyclohexamide) is keeping up with her beauty sleep during this quarantine with many cat naps! But, she is also staying active by keeping up on the most recent literature, taking long walks, and pouncing on anything that moves. She has been showcasing her photos on her Instagram page as well: @furocious_cyentist.”
Oriana Teran
Doctoral Student, Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cell Biology
“Work, work, work so he gets the backyard he deserves.”
Kelly Tillotson
Executive Staff Assistant, Graduate School
“My helper stinks…literally. She rolled in something nasty and I am burning a candle to cover the smell. At least she manages to look chagrined.”
Aly Trombitas
Master of Public Health Student
“Maggie is wondering when it’s time to stop transcribing lectures and start playing outside.”
Susi Varvayanis
Executive Director, Careers Beyond Academia, Graduate School
“I only got up to make lunch…”
Jenny Wilson
Doctoral Candidate, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology
“Rosalee’s favorite time of day is when the laptop finally closes so she can sleep on it!”
Teresa Yang
Master’s Student, Animal Science
“Zina (@zina.gl) always keeps me company while I’m working, and tries her best to make sure I’m productive.”
Zheng Yang
Master’s Student, Architecture
“My cat, Biscotti. Although his paw is small, he always tries to provide a helping paw to me while I’m working.”
Mia Ye
Doctoral Student, Computer Science
“While I’m studying, my cat, Java, always quietly sleeps on my blanket beside me.”
Fiona Young
Doctoral Student, Mathematics
“In some of my recorded lecture videos, you can hear Doogan barking in his sleep.”
Rebecca Zawistowski
Doctoral Student, Chemistry and Chemical Biology
“My cats (from left to right) Iris, Umbra, and Charlotte all take turns sitting on the table where I work making sure I am being productive.”
Aaron Zucherman
Doctoral Student, Systems Engineering
“I made a space themed collar for him because that is my research area.”