Rumors have been circulating around campus about Pegram’s new “therapy cat” named Crookshanks.
As it turns out, Crookshanks belongs to Heidi Johnson, the current Graduate Resident of Pegram.
“She was raised in the dorm so we joke about her being a certified therapy cat because she only knows dorm life and being around freshmen," Johnson said. "Crooksie loves to cuddle with the residents of Pegram and residents find the time with the cat healing and restoring."
Students often come over to her apartment for “cat therapy," Johnson added.
The Resident Assistants and residents of Pegram appeared to know about Crookshanks as well.
“Crookshanks is [Heidi’s] pet cat. She’s very cute. She has her own play area set up for her, and Heidi’s apartment is very homey,” said sophomore Justin Bryant, Pegram’s first floor RA. “I don’t think Crookshanks is our ‘therapy cat.’ I’m pretty sure she’s just like, Heidi’s cat."
Bryant mentioned that Johnson once held an event where residents got to meet Crookshanks.
Freshman Jordan Taylor shared his understanding of Crookshanks as well. He had first heard of Crookshanks at the house meeting at the beginning of the year.
Crookshanks' presence in the dorm has sparked a considerable amount of interest given Duke’s policy against dorm pets.
“I would imagine the GR gets special privileges that we don’t get like having a cat. I would love to have a puppy, but I’m not a GR so I don’t get to have a puppy," Taylor said. "What if I were allergic to a cat? Would that be okay? They should allow all of us to have puppies."
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