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Hamilton Community Foundation will fund therapy dogs in every Hamilton City school
Summary
The Hamilton Community Foundation announced a grant to fund therapy dogs across Hamilton City Schools, covering a three-year cycle for six additional dogs so the district aims to have a therapy dog in every building; district leaders said the program is fully funded by donations, not general-fund dollars.
Andrea Blevins, superintendent of Hamilton City Schools, and representatives of the Hamilton Community Foundation announced a foundation grant that will expand the district’s Positive Connections therapy-dog program so every school will have a therapy dog.
"By the end of next school year, we will have a therapy dog in every single building in our district," Blevins said, describing a program she said helps students and staff with emotional regulation and reduces anxiety. She told the board the program had been started through community donations and that no district general-fund dollars are being used.
Bob Long, speaking for the foundation, said the foundation’s education committee and board supported the program after conversations with district leaders. "The Community Foundation Board of Trustees unanimously has agreed to provide a grant that will ensure every Hamilton school building will have its own therapy dog next school year," he said.
John Gudulli, identified in the meeting as a leader with the Hamilton Community Foundation, described the gift as a targeted way to help amid broader fiscal pressures: "I don't have a check for $10,000,000… but the dog thing came to mind, sounded like a really good way to step up and do that." Foundation and district speakers said the grant will cover the three-year funding cycle for six additional therapy dogs and that the district hopes to onboard roughly four to five dogs per year until each building has one.
Program staff described existing animals named in the record as Arrow (also transcribed in places as "Aero") and Tango, saying the dogs are certified therapy animals and are already working with students. A foundation representative and district staff said the animals support classroom readiness by providing calm and helping students manage stress without necessarily using words.
Board and community speakers emphasized the grant is a community-funded effort. Superintendent Blevins pointed to partnerships with local PTOs, businesses and volunteers that have supported the Positive Connections program. The foundation and district also highlighted related community giving: a Thomas & Galbraith donation to fund elementary vending-machine book supplies for three years and earlier mini-grant programs for teachers.
The announcement came during the board meeting’s partner-spotlight portion; board members thanked foundation leaders and program staff and invited a short recognition.
Next steps identified at the meeting included continuing the community fundraising model to support future onboarding and recognizing foundation partners at public meetings. The district did not present a detailed per-dog or per-school budget in the meeting record; speakers said the foundation grant will cover the specified three-year cycle for the six additional dogs, and that other dogs added to the program have been supported by community partners.
