Rhett and Bean at Bean’s first birthday bash at Agganis Arena December 6, 2024. Photo by Cydney Scott

Campus Life

A Look Back at Bean’s First Year at BU

Photo essay captures celebrity status of BU’s first community service dog: “I’m constantly hearing people say, ‘Oh my god, it’s Bean in the flesh!’” says her handler, BUPD officer Geovanni Chevere

Wherever she goes, paparazzi follow. You can easily find her in a crowd because she’s surrounded by a gaggle of fans. And her handler is fielding hundreds of requests for appearances all over town. 

No, we’re not talking about Zendaya’s visit to Boston. We’re talking about Bean, Boston University’s community resource dog, who recently celebrated her first full year on campus (and her first birthday!). 

Over the past year, the English cream golden retriever has attended more than 200 events and gone through 3,000 hours of training with her handler, BUPD Officer Geovanni Chevere. The two have visited BU President Melissa Gilliam, worked with members of the University’s Aphasia Resource Center, and helped countless students through the stress of exams. Bean has also cheered on BU athletic teams, celebrated graduates at the University’s 2024 Commencement, salivated while greeting students at the Senior Breakfast—and so much more. She and Chevere routinely crisscross BU’s campus to bring a little sunshine (in the form of puppy love) wherever it’s needed most. 

But now, just shy of 70 pounds and having aced her final training test, the once curly-haired rambunctious puppy is rounding into her teenage years and settling into her role as an invaluable resource for the entire BU community. 

“It’s been a roller coaster,” says Chevere, reflecting on this first year. As he sits at a conference table in the BU Police Department, Bean roams around the room, offering her toys to anyone who might play. “We’ve learned so much—I was not an expert in dog training when we started, but it’s gotten to the point now where I can read her behavior well enough to see when she’s starting to get overwhelmed, or tired out, or just needs to release some energy.” 

Chevere took Bean to Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI), in Walpole, Mass., for training alongside Bean’s littermates, who all also work now as therapy dogs. In addition to the traditional commands of sit, lay down, stay, and come, Bean has had to learn how to stay focused in a chaotic and noisy environment, and she’s learning how to track a scent trail, as well. When they aren’t at GOFI, Chevere practices training with Bean at home, too, alongside his family’s four-year-old cocker spaniel, Kai. 

On campus, Bean’s reputation precedes her. 

“I’m constantly hearing people say, ‘Oh my god, it’s Bean in the flesh!’” Chevere says, with a laugh. Students, faculty, and staff alike flock to her, cell phones raised for a photo with the BU celebrity. (Of course all of her best glamour shots can be found on Instagram, at @Bean_BUPD.)

She’s more than her good looks (and charming personality), though. When Bean’s on campus, she’s at work, and she already has a variety of important jobs. Here’s one: Bean works with members of the University’s Aphasia Resource Center one day a week. Aphasia is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, the result of damage to the areas of the brain responsible for language processing—and BU’s center is a valuable resource for people living with Aphasia all over New England.

So when Elizabeth Hoover, clinical director of the Aphasia Resource Center, happened upon research by a colleague indicating that canine-assisted group therapy can be beneficial for people with aphasia, she knew just who to call.

When Bean is with the group, she prances around from chair to chair, heeding calls to “come,” “sit,” and “stay,” all from people whose speech is otherwise rendered more challenging. Then, they’ll bring Bean outside, where she acts as a starting point for conversations in broader social settings, another skill the members of the group practice.

“It’s been impactful and heartwarming to see their confidence, their autonomy, and their self-esteem change—as well as seemingly gaining access to more language—with Bean,” Hoover says.

“We knew Bean would be a welcome addition to our community, but we had no idea how important she would become,” BUPD Chief Rob Lowe told the crowd gathered at Bean’s first birthday party, held at Agganis Arena in December. “It has been a special joy to see what she brings to our community. Everywhere she goes, her presence has had a profound impact on students, faculty, and staff. We’ve seen firsthand how Bean has helped reduce stress and anxiety on and off campus.” 

“I’ve seen Bean a few times, and every time, there’s a big crowd around her,” Claire Sarnowski (Sargent’26), said at Bean’s party. Sarnowski had just finished a tough final and came to Bean’s party for a little TLC from the birthday girl. “She always cheers me up!”

It’s hard not to feel bolstered by the affable, effervescent Bean. Whether on trading cards (seriously) or in person, her big brown eyes and attentive face bring a smile to all those around her. 

“It’s almost like she has a sixth sense sometimes,” Chevere says. “She can tell if a person is having a rough day, and she’ll go right to the person and lean her head on them.” 

That was the case during a wellness call the two recently made to a student. When they arrived, Chevere says, “she put her chin on this person’s leg, and they instantly started crying, saying, ‘I want to get help.’ And we helped them get connected to the resources they needed. Bean really broke through right away.” 

“It’s an honor, truly, being her handler,” Chevere says. 

One year down, many more to come.