On any given afternoon, it's not uncommon to see heads turning and phones snapping photos along the streets near campus as Jack, a 21-year-old donkey, trots along towing a small, yellow-seated cart. At the reins is Courage Deniger, a business management major in his fifth semester, who moved to the area and brought Jack along for the journey.

"I grew up on a small farm in Vegas," said Deniger. "My family raised and bred minis, and we trained them to haul carts like this."

Jack, whom he calls "the OG", has been part of the family for years, doing things like parades and birthday parties.

However, what started as a simple way to exercise Jack while Deniger is at college turned into something bigger.

The first time Deniger took Jack to Porter Park in the spring, kids would run up to pet him, and parents began asking for rides for their kids. Since then, the pair became something of local celebrities.

"People are always shocked," Deniger said. "Traffic will stop because they want pictures."

Deniger said the most common joke people ask is, "How much horsepower does it have?"

Deniger also mentioned a time when he got stopped by a police officer who asked him if he was busy. Deniger said no, and soon he ended up at the officer's house, giving his kid a ride.

Despite the popularity, Deniger doesn't use Jack as a business. Someone once suggested that he offer date-night rides, but he laughed it off, saying he didn't want to eavesdrop on the couples' conversations. He does, however, offer a ride to others now and then.

Jack lives with his owner nearby, with a stall of his own and plenty of other animals to keep him company. He is fed twice a day, and trips into town are his version of a walk in the park. Deniger describes Jack as a ladies' man. He loves the attention, the affection and bringing smiles to people's faces.

For Deniger, the best part isn't the attention but the reactions from strangers driving by or students walking to class.

"I just hope people feel something positive when they see him," Deniger said.

Judging by the smiles, laughs and camera flashes, that goal may be closer than he thinks.