Granite Falls transition program presents student-run 'Oh My Dog' business and community placements

Aileen Brower, the teacher who leads Granite Falls High School’s transition program, presented the program to the board on March 11, describing vocational training, community placements and a student-run small business known as "Oh My Dog." The program serves students ages 18–22 with disabilities and is in its second year at Granite Falls.

Brower said students spend Mondays on campus working on budgeting, meal planning and resume building and spend Tuesdays and Thursdays in community placements at local businesses including Alfie's Pizza, IGA, the food bank, the Granite Falls hardware store and other community partners. Brower emphasized the program’s goal is paid employment and building references and community relationships: "I believe that every student can do anything they want to do as long as you're willing to try."

The students operate a small business that produces and sells dog treats — a recipe Brower described as pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, peanut butter, fruit, cinnamon and egg — and the students voted on the brand name, "Oh My Dog." Brower said the enterprise builds real-world skills: packaging, sales, money handling and artwork production (a student drew the product artwork). Purchases can be made via the high school website and newsletter or at the high school front office, where "Miss Jamie" helps with sales when staff are away.

Brower highlighted community engagement activities — tours of the post office, city hall, the mayor, roller skating, bowling and other outings — and thanked her paraprofessional staff who support the program. The board praised the program’s community partnerships and student outcomes.