Who is Stryker?

Who is Stryker? 

    Who is Stryker? You may have seen him walking around like the big dog on campus. In fact, he is! Stryker is the canine ambassador for the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech. Actually, he is the highest-ranking cadet, with the title of brigadier general. The United States Department of Agriculture Licensed Exhibited Animal Stryker is the corps mascot and a way for civilian students to engage with cadets on campus. 

    Originally, the idea of adopting a corps dog was inspired by the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. They have had a dog since 1931, which is a Shetland Sheepdog named Reveille. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) thought it would also be a good idea to get one to boost the morale of the corps in 2016. The official name of the yellow lab canine ambassador was chosen as “Growley.” This is because “back in the Great Depression, supposedly there was a dog that cadets would give their scraps to,” according to the past regimental handler and current team member Chris Hall. 

    To decide who Growley is, the corps looks at a litter from a breeder north of Virginia Tech off Interstate 81. The dogs are supposed to come from the same lineage, so they choose a dog out of a litter to be trained by Ciao Bella Retrievers in Troutville, VA. Throughout the year, his training is updated. “I like to think that they choose the cutest dog, but there is probably more that goes into it than that,” Hall jokes. 

    While the official canine ambassador name is Growley, each dog has a different name. The old dog from 2016 to 2021 was named Tank. Currently, Growley’s name is Stryker. In fact, Stryker is Tank’s nephew. Taken care of by a team of twelve cadets, Stryker works as “a way to bridge the gap” between the corps and civilians, says Chris Hall. The corps hopes that Stryker will pique people’s interest wherever he is, and they will start asking questions about the VTCC. “The first time I talked to a cadet was when I walked up to a handler to ask to pet the dog,” sophomore Tech student Abbey Burton explains. 

    To gain attention and relatability, the corps tries to involve Stryker in media and events not related to the corps. He has a Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter account highlighting his endeavors throughout the year. He goes on trips with his regimental handler during breaks and attends affairs on campus. People are welcome to take pictures of and with him. This way, he interacts with all sorts of people from all different backgrounds and brings people together.

    Typically, Stryker will spend his day walking around with the regimental handler, the primary caretaker, or someone in the corps on the team who supports him. “He would go where I go. He lived with me and I would sometimes take him to class, but everyone on the team has access to the room (in Pearson Hall West) to get him to walk him whenever they want,” Hall says. He usually gets about an hour of walks per day around campus, and he goes to events that ask him to show up. Requests are made through email at growley-g@vt.edu. The regimental handler is in charge of everyone else on the team and oversees that he is being taken care of in the best way possible. 

    To get on the team to take care of him, there is a six-week process in which the upperclassmen give quizzes and see how well freshmen interact with the dog. Because he is a United States Department of Agriculture dog, it is imperative that they know all of the laws and responsibilities, or else he could be taken away due to lack of proper care. They get inspected each year, “which is stressful because you do have to have everything logged because he is a show animal,” team member Erik Jensen explains. Responsibilities include feeding, bathing, washing, and walking the dog. Because he represents the corps, he is required to go to basically every Corps of Cadets event. He can be seen at parades, reunions, ceremonies, dances, and anything else in which the corps is represented. On top of that, his uniform matches the cadet uniform of the day! 

    It is considered an honor to be on this team that gets to care for the dog, because of the responsibilities and prestige that come along with it. This year, about 25 freshmen cadets started off trying to make the team. However, only five did. They are interviewed, tested, and watched to make sure that they pick the right people who will represent and look after the dog well. 

    Most notably, Growley can be seen at every home Virginia Tech game standing on the field with his handlers. “Each of us gets to go on the field with him once during the year… It is a lot of fun getting to be on the field with him and then getting to go to the President’s box,” sophomore Growley team member Erik Jensen states. When he goes on the field and sits in the box, he gets to represent the corps as well as Virginia Tech as a whole. It also helps make part of the Virginia Tech gameday experience. The viewers are excited to see the dog whom they have so much pride in.

    Specifically in the corps, Stryker serves as a symbol of joy and relaxation. The cadets can go see Stryker whenever they want, as he lives in Pearson Hall West with the regimental handler. He can be a source of relaxation especially when times are tough in the Corps of Cadets. “I missed my dog, especially during the beginning of freshman year, so it was nice that Stryker was there when I wanted a reminder of home,” cadet Tyler Mandel recalls. 

    Although he is mainly a show dog, Stryker is a trained therapy dog. This can be apparent on campus when students stop to ask to pet him. He provides a sense of comfort on the campus for anyone who wants it, and he loves the pets and attention he gets in the process. 

    Bringing people together and raising morale one step at a time, Growley, currently named Stryker, will hopefully continue this tradition for years to come. Next time you see him on campus, say hello to the brigadier general!