Campus canine celebrity Welles, who is the loyal service dog for NMU Veteran Services Coordinator Mike Rutledge, received the 2025 Silver Tag Award from UPAWS at its annual gala on April 5. He was recognized for his longtime service, and for his “comforting and supportive presence” on campus and in the community.
Welles was trained to assist Rutledge—a U.S. Army veteran—with the impacts of post-traumatic stress disorder, getting up and down, and picking things up off the floor. Rutledge said he's had several surgeries over the last six years or so, and Welles was very helpful during his recovery. The dog is actually trained to take things out of a laundry basket and put them in the dryer so his owner don't have to bend over too far.
“I have always allowed students on campus and people in the community to interact with him because I can see the immediate effect he has on their mood,” Rutledge said. “[Interim Dean of Students] Mary Brundage has even commented that Welles has, on more than one occasion, gone into her office and sat down next to a student who was highly distressed over some issue or the other, all on his own. He just sensed something was not right and immediately picked out the person. His puppy-like persona cheers everyone up.”
Welles has also been the unofficial mascot of the Wildcat volleyball team for about seven years, barking when the team is introduced prior to the start of the match, and when they win. Rutledge said it elevates the players' spirits. His second, younger dog Quinn is learning from the best, following big brother Welles' example of how to interact with people and provide attentive service in different contexts.
