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Hamilton Community Foundation funds therapy dogs for every Hamilton City school building
Summary
Hamilton Community Foundation announced a grant to fund therapy dogs in every district school building for a three-year cycle; district leaders said the dogs support emotional regulation and student well-being and that the grant will expand existing therapy-animal programming.
Bob Long, representing the Hamilton Community Foundation, announced at the school board meeting that the foundation's board unanimously approved a grant that will fund therapy dogs in every Hamilton school building for the next three-year funding cycle.
"This foundation grant will ensure every Hamilton school building will have its own therapy school therapy dog next school year," Long said, and the board and audience responded with applause. Long credited local businesses, PTOs and student council donors for earlier progress in the Positive Connections therapy-dog program and said the foundation prioritized immediate support after the district announced budget cuts.
Superintendent Andrea Blevens and program staff described existing dogs, Arrow and Tango, and said therapy dogs help students regulate emotion and reduce anxiety. "Students learn best when they are emotionally regulated," Blevens said, explaining the district aims to expand the pack so more buildings have canine support.
John Gadulli (Foundation CEO), mentioned by Long as an earlier advocate, and program leads described how dogs provide nonverbal comfort and reach students who may not otherwise seek help. Staff said three additional therapy dogs were expected to arrive in spring and summer and that the foundation's grant covers the three-year costs for six additional dogs.
Board members and staff said community support made the expansion possible and noted the program will be evaluated as it scales. The announcement followed other community highlights at the meeting, including student awards and school fairs.
