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Community foundation funds therapy-dog program for every Hamilton school
Summary
The Hamilton Community Foundation pledged a grant to fund six additional therapy dogs and cover a three‑year cycle so every Hamilton school building will have a certified therapy dog; the foundation said the grant will not use district operating dollars.
Bob Long of the Hamilton Community Foundation announced at a Hamilton City School District board meeting that the foundation’s board unanimously agreed to fund the district’s Positive Connections therapy-dog program so every school building will have a therapy dog.
The foundation grant will cover the three-year funding cycle needed for six additional therapy dogs, Long said, and was assembled with support from local businesses, PTOs and student groups. "This morning, I’m very pleased to tell you 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," Long said.
Superintendent Andrea Blevins and district staff described how the dogs are intended to support students and staff by reducing anxiety and supporting emotional regulation, which staff said improves readiness to learn. "We know that students learn best when they are emotionally regulated," Blevins said, explaining the district’s interest in growing the program. Staff emphasized the grant was raised through community donations and partners and that no district operating funds would be used.
Handlers and program partners introduced Tango, a certified therapy dog through the AKC, and described Arrow, the district’s first therapy dog, as an example of how a dog can calm students and support staff. A program spokesperson said the foundation grant accelerates plans to place dogs across the district after earlier timeline estimates stretched to several years.
The announcement followed district comments that the district is facing budget cuts; Long referenced the district’s need for rapid support after the school system disclosed $10,000,000 in budget reductions. The foundation said the grant is an immediate philanthropic response to help maintain student supports despite fiscal pressure.
School leaders said implementation will proceed through the foundation and partner organizations; board members praised the partnership and the foundation’s investment. The board did not vote on any fiscal commitment for the district during the meeting; administrators said onboarding and placement decisions will follow program and partner protocols.
