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Center Grove introduces Hopper, a facility dog trained with prison-based program partners
Summary
Christy Burger and Dr. Long presented Hopper, a facility dog trained through a nonprofit program that partners with incarcerated handlers; the team reported 23 classroom visits and ongoing handling training, and described training and operational details.
Christy Burger introduced Hopper, a facility dog who will work across district facilities. Burger said Hopper was trained through a nonprofit program that partners with incarcerated individuals who raise and begin training the dogs; Burger and Dr. Long completed six days of in-person training and additional online modules to become handlers.
Burger told the board Hopper turned 3 in March, knows 56 “cues” and has completed extensive training. She said the prison-based partner requires incarcerated handlers to have a minimum discipline-free period (three years) before applying to work with dogs; that partner also provides training experience that the district’s handlers attended in person.
Burger said Hopper has made 23 classroom visits to teach students how to approach and support a facility dog and to participate in reward-based activities. She described the partnership model and training pathway and said the district will continue classroom visits and student education about responsible interactions with service and facility dogs.
Board members and staff congratulated the handlers and thanked them for the outreach. No formal action or vote was taken.
