Charlie & Dolly

Patty is currently serving as the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at Long Island University. She brought with her Charlie (right), a 13 year-old Bichon Mix, and Dolly (left), a 13 year-old Pomeranian.

My dogs are like my family. An Interim assignment would be off the table for me if adequate accommodations were not available for my pets. For placement sites to be truly competitive, I think it is critical they are able to provide interim candidates with housing that is pet-friendly.

No matter how great the opportunity, the possibility of being separated from a beloved pet will have a negative impact on decision-making when it comes to a long-term interim assignment.

I have been extremely fortunate that LIU has been sensitive to that requirement. They have bent over backwards to ensure a safe and comfortable environment not just for me but for my two dogs as well. It has made a significant difference in terms of my satisfaction with this placement.