UTC Fraternity Funds New Police K-9 Lucky

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga welcomes a five-month-old lab trained for explosives detection and therapy.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Dogs

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a young black Labrador retriever in a quiet courtyard, evoking safety and campus wellness. — The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga successfully raised funds to purchase a new K-9 officer, Lucky. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has raised funds to help the campus police department acquire a new K-9 officer. Named Lucky, the five-month-old black lab will serve the campus community as both a therapy dog and an explosives detection specialist.

Why it matters

The project serves as a morale booster for the university following a false shooter incident on campus last fall. By funding this addition, students aim to enhance safety resources while providing emotional support to the student body.

The new recruit is a five-month-old black lab currently joining the department's existing K-9 unit, which features a therapy dog named Sophie. Funding for the specialized training is provided through student efforts and the Mocs Day of Giving.

The players

Pi Kappa Alpha

This is a collegiate fraternity chapter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga that organizes charitable events and philanthropic initiatives for the campus.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Police Department

This is the law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining safety and security across the university campus and its surrounding facilities.

Lucky

Lucky is a five-month-old black lab serving as a police K-9 with dual responsibilities in therapy and explosives detection.

Sophie

Sophie is an established therapy dog currently serving as a member of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga police force.

The details

Lucky will split time between patrol support and campus wellness duties after completing specialized training. The initiative was spearheaded by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity through their annual fall Philanthropy Week fundraising drive.

A false shooter incident occurred on the UTC campus in Fall 2025.
The fraternity conducted Philanthropy Week fundraising in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This effort reflects a growing trend of student organizations taking active roles in campus safety following the 2025 UTC false shooter incident. It marks a shift toward collaborative community support for law enforcement resources.

Residents and students can expect to see Lucky on campus once the canine completes explosives detection training. The dog will be available for community interactions as part of the department's therapy and morale-boosting program.

The takeaway

Supporting campus safety through student-led initiatives provides a concrete way to improve student morale. Establishing these programs helps build stronger community bonds during challenging times on university campuses.