Young men at Schaeffer House acquired a special mascot this year, whom they’ve grown to adore. He’s cuddly and perky -- and unlike some mascots, his fur suit is no cheap imitation!

Cody is Schaeffer's canine charm. Make that charmer. The wrinkly little Pug made his first visit to Schaeffer House last December when he was still wobbly on his feet and not yet 3 months old, says TJJD Parole Officer Lori Calderon.

“I just saw the faces of the kids. These kids, even some who they were having issues with, they just went crazy over a puppy. Their looks. They just became kids again,” Calderon said.

That prompted her son, Zackery, Cody’s owner, to propose that Cody serve as a comfort dog at Schaeffer House. Making Cody a goodwill emissary seemed natural to Zackery, 24, who'd grown up watching his mom help people in crisis or transition during her employment at Child Protective Services.

“He’s always had a heart to help others,” Calderon said.

She asked for and received approval for Cody to be a part-time house dog at Schaeffer House. The pug reported for “work” in February. He visits twice a week and checks in with his own ID.

Cody hangs out in the day room and classroom, and the dozen or so youth in residence help with his care. “He’s been great with both staff and the kids. He has so much personality,” said Calderon, who offices in Schaeffer House and can keep tabs on Cody during the day.

Most of the young men are excited about the pup’s twice-weekly appearances. One, who’s since moved out of Schaeffer, bonded with Cody so strongly that he looks for him when he comes back on parole checks, she said. There have been youth who acted initially like they were unmoved or even put off by the dog, but she recalls that two of those boys were soon taking Cody out on his leash and cleaning up after him (Cody being, ahem, still in training).

“It changed them,” she said. “Cody would go to them unconditionally.”

Another problem (but not really) arose when Cody became enamored of door stops. Though a wee 12-pounder, the big-eyed cutie can wrest a doorstop from its door and zip across the room with it before anyone can catch him, Calderon says, chuckling.

“I’ve been told by several people, he has a unique character.”