School Support Dogs: FHPS PRIDE Pups

Jersey is a female Golden Retriever/Lab mix. She was born on March 1, 2023. And guess what?! Her brother, Bronx, is also a PRIDE Pup! Jersey works at Ada Vista Elementary School, the FHPS Spanish immersion program. In case you are wondering… YES, Jersey is bilingual! She understands a handful of commands in Spanish as she works alongside Laura Schuler. After school, Jersey is so excited to go home that she carries her own leash in her mouth as she prances out to the car with her host mom, Sharlynn Boersma. Jersey loves belly rubs and digging holes in the yard at her host home. She also loves to watch the wildlife in the backyard! jersey can often be found sleeping on the job and snoring…loudly.

Bronx is a young golden/labrador retriever mix. His birthday is March 1st, 2023, and his littermate, Jersey, is also a PRIDE Pup. Bronx loves getting together with the other PRIDE Pups. He spends most of his days in the Knapp Forest library with Lisa Doctor, who is his handler at school. He loves being in the library, where he gets a chance to see every student every week. More students = more belly rubs! He visits classrooms and helps out students wherever they happen to be when they need him. Bronx is also hosted by the Doctor family, so after school, he heads home with Mrs. Doctor. When they arrive home, Bronx can hardly wait to hop out of the car and get busy playing with his little puppy sister, Lulu. Bronx’s favorite things are fetching tennis balls, treats of all kinds, and belly rubs. He also enjoys sniffing students, especially after school.

Rubble is a smart and playful Golden Retriever. His birthday is May 31, 2022, and Rubble started working at Meadow Brook on April 22, 2024. He is happy that his two brothers, Kai and Chase, are also working in Forest Hills! Rubble loves sitting in the main foyer to greet all of the students each morning, cheering up students when they’re feeling sad, and he really loves when students read books to him. Everyone loves his big toothy smile. Rubble brings so much joy to the students and staff at Meadow Brook! Rubble lives with Meghan Davis and her pup Higgins. He loves going to the lake, catching bugs, making stick collections, and rolling in the dirt when he is at home.

Belle is beautiful, just like the sound of her name. She is a Golden Retriever and helps to make all of the kids and adults at Orchard View smile. Belle turns three on Dec. 10. She currently works with our school counselor, Mrs. VanSkiver and soon will be working with Mrs. Kimura in the media center as well. As Orchard View students walk past the office in the morning, they are often greeted by her happy face and wagging tail on the Nugget couch. Belle likes her toys but absolutely loves her treats and is super food-motivated. When the school day ends, Belle is so excited to head home with her host mom, Jill Fausey. She often gets zoomies at night and enjoys playing with her brother, and fellow golden, Griffin as she waits for the next exciting school day at Orchard View.

Kai is a loving golden retriever mix with long, lush, golden locks. Each school day, he is busy providing comfort to students at Central Woodlands. Kai enjoys the outdoors but spends the majority of his time chillin’ in the Media Center with Mrs. Offer and students during their library time. He loves hearing 5th and 6th Graders’ voices as they read to him. Kai enjoys spending time with both of his handlers, Mrs. Offer and Mrs. Otolski (Mrs. O) throughout the school day. Kai’s ability to calm overwhelmed and anxious students is truly remarkable. He brings a sense of peace and focus, making everyone’s school experience more positive. Kai’s host home is with Mr. Beemer, one of CW’s 5th Grade Teachers.

Chase is lovingly referred to as a “Golden Potato” by his handler, Kara Dennings. Chase loves long naps on a cool floor, dreaming of chasing friends, and resting his eyes. His two brothers, Kai and Rubble, are also working at Forest Hills as school support dogs. When Chase isn’t spending his day napping, you can find him enjoying pets on the bench in the Ada hallways or helping friends around the school. Don’t let his sad eyes fool you, he loves snuggling with the students and staff at Ada. Chase also loves to play and serenade his family when he is not at work. His home is with Jennifer Fisher, and he loves that his mom is at work with him, but they do keep it professional.

Sunni is Thornapple’s adorably handsome golden retriever. He loves spending his days in classrooms as students work and play, in his Nugget room where kids snuggle up and read with him, and easing fears and anxieties just by being him! Sunni loves walking students to class and is sure to get a big happy greeting from students as he walks by the cafeteria. He has quite the personality and will turn his head side to side when you talk to him like he really is following along with the conversation! Sunni can brighten a sad student’s day in SECONDS, and you might be surprised at how many staff members look for Sunni snuggles on a daily basis. He brings so much joy and happiness to Thornapple! Sunni goes home with his Mom, Jess Hughes, whom he ADORES, and enjoys running around with his lab brother, Albus! He also loves snuggling up with his human family and getting to be a care free dog.

Ever see the movie Frozen? Remember Sven, the reindeer? That’s Forest. This pup is the gigantic, fun-loving, snuggly companion of anyone within a 10-foot radius. He adores attention, compliments of his smooth fur, and the unexpected puppy treat. He dons the blue Northern bandana with a perfect pack mentality alongside the 500+ huskies that surround him at Northern Trails. He is the definition of the “work hard, play hard” philosophy our tweens practice day in and day out. Sven… I mean Forest, lives with his “Kristoff” (TJ Burdick, teacher at Trails) and his big family so as to never go without human contact so long as he is awake. Forest’s handler is the director of student awesomeness at Northern Trails, Kim Sweezie.

Astro truly is the star of the show here at Collins. Our loving Golden Retriever was born on August 14, 2022. When you see him in the morning, on his greeting bench, you’ll see his tail wagging and ears perked. Between visits from students and staff, he loves to get as many belly rubs as possible. If he’s not in a classroom or walking the halls, you will find him on his bed napping away, probably dreaming about more belly rubs. Being sprawled out with only his back legs on his mat is an everyday occurrence. He gets to spend his time at Collins with his two handlers Mrs. Lombardo, MTSS and Ms. Natalie, head secretary. Astro gets to spend his time at home with our art teacher, Mrs. Jorgensen, her husband Joe, and their two boys, Declan and Beckett. Even though these kiddos don’t get to interact much with Astro during the school day, he makes up for it by giving all the love and snuggles at home when he is “clocked out.”

PRIDE Pups are owned and managed by Forest Hills Public Schools. The dogs and their services are funded through community donations. PRIDE Pups live with a host family when they are not on duty in school. The host families coordinate transportation and grooming & healthcare appointments for the PRIDE Pups.

The PRIDE Pup program is unique in that it is founded on community partnerships. 5 veterinary practices within the FHPS border donate free routine veterinary care and quarterly grooming for PRIDE Pups. SpartanNash stores pay for all of the initial supplies for home and school and also gift each host family with a $500 gift card to offset the cost of dog food. The Cascade location of Chow Hound gives the PRIDE Pup program a 25% discount on supplies. These very generous community partners are an integral part of the PRIDE Pup program.

Exposure to a highly trained dog can help fearful students learn to be comfortable around dogs. PRIDE Pups are leashed all of the time and no student or staff will ever be forced to interact with a PRIDE Pup. While dog allergies are not life-threatening, the school staff will ensure that no contact will be made with the person who suffers from allergies. “Dog Free Zones” will be designated around the school building and allergy protocols will be set in place for individuals with allergies. All PRIDE Pups also get groomed 4 times a year in order to reduce dander and shedding while at school.

School Support Dogs can be a great motivator for students and help improve behavior and attendance. Handlers can have dogs attend small groups of students who are processing family changes, learning about friendship, working on academic goals, and more. Art teachers can use the PRIDE Pup as still models. ASD students and/or students with sensory needs can have regular visits with the dog to improve sensory processing integration. Without putting the safety of the dog at risk, they can assist students to de-escalate. PRIDE Pups can be integrated into PBIS acknowledgment systems. Students can learn responsibility by having daily jobs to brush the dog, clean the water bowl, or brush off the dog’s bed. After the dog is settled into the school environment, they can attend Reading Workshop in classrooms.