At Oxford High School in Michigan, a black Labrador Retriever named Bean has become a beloved part of the school community. As a member of the Oxford Wildcat Pack therapy dog program, Bean spends her days with students and her handler, educator Dana Brewer.
Dana shared her experience with Bean and the laughter, companionship, and happiness she’s brought to the classroom and beyond.
In Dana’s Words
Having Bean, our sweet black lab who was named by our students, has brought so much happiness to my classroom and home. She particularly loves to steal the spotlight onstage during dance class (I direct an academic dance program at OHS); she genuinely seems to try to make us laugh, and she is good at it! That group of kids, which includes my own 16 year-old daughter, was together through so much last year, and it has been such a blessing to hear the girls laugh at our goofy dog now. She also gets to wear costumes, of course. She enjoys playing a few games of fetch with the kids in my language arts classes in the afternoon and napping while they pet her so that she has the energy for more fun and games with my daughters and her buddy, Jane the cat, when she gets home. She was born for this job, and we are so thankful for her.
Dana Brewer
Educator and Therapy Dog Handler, Oxford High School
Learn More About the Oxford Wildcat Pack
Bean is part of a larger therapy dog program established at Oxford Community Schools with support from 4 Pawz Strong and community partners. Learn how the program developed following the 2021 tragedy and grew to include therapy dogs throughout the district.