In 2022, Birmingham Public Schools continued expanding a therapy dog program designed to provide emotional support and companionship to students and staff. Through a partnership with the Birmingham Rotary Club and 4 Pawz Strong, the district worked toward introducing therapy dogs into its middle schools and eventually expanding the program throughout the district.
The initiative brought together educators, community donors, and experienced therapy dog professionals to help make the program possible.
Bringing Therapy Dogs to Birmingham Schools
One of the district’s first therapy dogs was Snickers, a dog selected for Berkshire Middle School. Born in October 2021, Snickers was undergoing training in preparation for joining the school community. Students even participated in choosing his name through a school naming contest.
The district planned for therapy dogs to become part of everyday school life, spending time with students, visiting classrooms, and offering a calming presence during the school day. School staff would serve as handlers, caring for the dogs at home and bringing them to school.
The program also included considerations for students with allergies or fears of dogs, helping schools introduce the animals in a way that respected individual needs.
Community Fundraising Makes Expansion Possible
The Birmingham Rotary Club played an important role in helping fund the new program. After supporting the placement of Snickers, the club presented Birmingham Public Schools with an additional $20,000 contribution in May 2022.
Those funds were designated to help purchase, train, and place two more therapy dogs, one at Derby Middle School and another at Birmingham Covington School.
The contribution came through the Rotary Club’s fundraising efforts, including its annual Masters Gala. The support helped the district move toward its goal of having a therapy dog available at every middle school.
Preparing Dogs for Their New Roles
Birmingham Public Schools partnered with 4 Pawz Strong to help secure and train its therapy dogs. Founded by Karen Storey, the Brighton-based nonprofit brought experience from developing school therapy dog programs and worked with training partners, including local veterans, to prepare dogs for their new environments.
Preparing a dog for placement involved training and socialization before transitioning into a school setting. The district also worked to establish arrangements for handlers, daily responsibilities, and the dogs’ introduction to students and staff.
The Growth of Birmingham’s Canine Comfort Crew
What began with the district’s early therapy dog placements continued growing into a larger initiative known as the Birmingham Public Schools Canine Comfort Crew.
The district has since expanded the program to include 14 therapy dogs, supported by community organizations, donors, and local veterinary partners. The dogs are part of school life across the district, helping create opportunities for students to experience companionship and support throughout the school day.
Read More About Birmingham’s Therapy Dog Program
Learn more about the original partnership, community fundraising, and the program’s continued development:
- Rotary Club Raises Money to Place Therapy Dogs at Birmingham Schools — Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle, June 22, 2022.
- Birmingham Public Schools Therapy Dogs — Rotary Club of Birmingham.
- BPS Canine Comfort Crew — Birmingham Public Schools.