Great Lakes launches therapy‑dog program as chronic absenteeism spikes

Ryan Harrelson, principal at Great Lakes Elementary, told the School District of Superior board on Oct. 27 that the school has launched a therapy‑dog program and is using it as one tool in efforts to improve student wellbeing and engagement.

Harrelson said fall reading assessment results were stronger than the prior fall and that the school aims to continue progress. He introduced Libby, a six‑month‑old therapy dog in training, and described how counselors and staff are integrating the dog into small groups, reading practice and drop‑in calming supports. In the meeting Harrelson played a short student video in which pupils gave firsthand accounts of how Libby helps them calm down and practice reading fluency.

Harrelson presented attendance data to the board and said chronic absenteeism increased from about 8% historically to 18% in 2023–24. He said the school has implemented proactive teacher alerts, targeted outreach and pre‑prepared messaging to families when students accrue early absences; the building’s short‑term goal is to reduce habitual truancy to below 10%.

The principal credited counselors and staff for the program’s early successes and said the district is coordinating with other schools that are exploring therapy dogs. Board members said they had attended workshops on truancy and expressed support for the school’s outreach strategies.

No formal board action was taken on the Great Lakes presentation; it was an informational report to the board.