4 Pawz Strong began with a simple observation in a Brighton, Michigan classroom: the presence of a dog could make a meaningful difference for students who needed comfort and connection.
What started as an idea to bring a therapy dog into one school grew into a district-wide program and eventually inspired the creation of 4 Pawz Strong, a nonprofit organization helping schools and communities across the country experience the benefits of therapy dogs.
How It All Began
Our history begins with founder Karen Storey’s work as a special education teacher in Brighton Area Schools. While working with students who had emotional and behavioral needs, Karen saw how they responded to a counselor’s service dog. Although the dog was there to assist its owner and wasn’t available for students to interact with freely, Karen saw how much students could benefit from having a therapy dog of their own at school.
Karen believed that having a therapy dog dedicated to supporting students could create a more welcoming and comforting school environment. With support from school leadership and the local community, she helped raise the funds needed to bring the first therapy dog into Brighton Area Schools.
That first dog, Caesar, became the beginning of something much larger.
Growing Into the Brighton Area Schools Pack of Dogs
The positive experiences with Caesar encouraged Brighton Area Schools to expand its therapy dog program. Over the following years, more dogs were introduced into schools throughout the district, becoming familiar companions to students, teachers, and staff.
The program became known as the Brighton Area Schools Pack of Dogs, or BAS Pack. By 2019, every school in the district had a therapy dog, supported through the generosity of the community.
What began in one classroom had grown into a model that attracted attention from educators and school districts interested in developing similar programs. Schools began looking to Brighton for guidance on selecting dogs, preparing handlers, and incorporating therapy dogs into everyday educational activities.
The Beginning of 4 Pawz Strong
As interest in the Brighton program grew, Karen and others involved recognized an opportunity to help more schools and communities benefit from therapy dogs.
4 Pawz Strong was established as a nonprofit organization to expand that work beyond Brighton Area Schools. Drawing on the experience of educators, dog trainers, veterinary professionals, and volunteers, the organization began helping other schools develop programs suited to their needs.
The work grew to include selecting and preparing therapy dogs, helping organizations establish programs, and connecting community supporters with opportunities to make placements possible.
While our roots remain in Brighton, Michigan, the organization was created with a much broader purpose: helping bring therapy dogs to people and communities where they can make a difference.
Expanding Beyond Brighton
Over time, 4 Pawz Strong has worked with schools and districts throughout Michigan and beyond, including partnerships with Oxford Community Schools, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Birmingham Public Schools, Menlo Park City School District in California, and Apalachee High School in Georgia.
The organization’s work has also expanded beyond education. Therapy dog placements with community organizations and law enforcement have created additional opportunities to bring comfort and connection to the people they serve.
Each new partnership builds on the experience that began with the Brighton Area Schools program, while allowing 4 Pawz Strong to respond to the different needs of schools and communities.
Continuing the Work Today
Today, 4 Pawz Strong continues to help schools and community organizations establish therapy dog programs through dog selection, training, placement, and practical guidance. Our work is made possible through the generosity of donors, community partners, and volunteers who believe in the difference these dogs can make.
Although the organization has grown beyond its beginnings in Brighton, the idea behind its creation remains the same: helping people experience the comfort, companionship, and connection that therapy dogs can provide.
