Jonathan XV is the Siberian Husky mascot of the University of Connecticut (UConn). The mascot recently voiced support for a legislative bill that would designate the Siberian Husky as the official state dog of Connecticut. Jonathan advocated through a virtual Zoom testimony with Laura Centanni, one of his handlers. The mascot made a compelling case to the General Administrations and Elections Committee on March 8.
Centanni, a UConn student and co-chair of Alpha Phi Omega’s Husky Committee, read the testimony on Jonathan’s behalf. The deep history and tradition that the Siberian Husky has with the state and university were highlighted during the presentation.
Jonathan XV testifies in favor of making Siberian Huskies Connecticut state dogs
The mascot is named after Connecticut’s first governor, Jonathan Trumbull. The lineage of Huskies has long been a symbol of pride for UConn and the broader community. The proposed House Bill 5304 — which also aims to designate a state candy — received a favorable nod from Jonathan XV and several committee members. “It would be a great honor to me and my Siberian Husky brethren to be designated as our great state’s official dog,” Jonathan ‘stated’ during the testimony.
Jonathan XV’s support for the bill wasn’t without preparation. Centanni shared the behind-the-scenes efforts to ready the Husky for his moment in the legislative spotlight — per The Daily Campus. This included a comprehensive routine involving physical workouts and familiarization sessions with the testimony. Furthermore, there was also a special business collar for the occasion.
Since his homecoming on June 17, 2023, Jonathan XV has undergone constant training. He has been guided by his host family and handlers to prepare for his responsibilities as UConn’s mascot.
The “Changing of the Collar” ceremony in February marked the official passing of the mantle from Jonathan XIV to Jonathan XV. Moreover, the passing celebrated the start of a new chapter in UConn’s mascot legacy. The younger Husky has been on a learning trajectory. So, he’s been looking up to his predecessor and soaking in the nuances of embodying a university symbol.
