Statue of Patsy Ann, Juneau

The Statue of Patsy Ann on Juneau’s downtown cruise ship dock commemorates one of the city’s most unusual local characters. Patsy Ann was a bull terrier who arrived in Juneau in 1929 and became known for wandering through downtown streets and greeting ships arriving in the harbor. Although she was deaf, locals noticed that she often appeared at the waterfront just as vessels were coming in. In 1934, Juneau Mayor Goldstein officially named her the “Official Greeter of Juneau, Alaska.”

During her years in Juneau, Patsy Ann became a familiar presence around town. She was known for visiting local businesses, walking through the Coliseum Theater, accepting treats from shop owners, and leaving her paw prints in freshly paved sidewalks. Stories about her unusual ability to appear at the docks when ships arrived were frequently shared in local newspapers, adding to her reputation among residents and visitors.

Patsy Ann died in 1942, but her story remains part of Juneau’s local folklore. In 1992, artist Anna Burke Harris created a bronze statue of Patsy Ann, which was placed near the waterfront between Marine Park and the library. The statue incorporates small clippings of dog hair contributed from around the world and serves as a tribute to the connection between people and animals. Today, visitors often stop to see the statue, touch her nose for good luck, and learn about the dog who became an unexpected symbol of Juneau’s waterfront.