BAS Pack of Dogs
December 2020 Edition #3
Determination-Optimism-Generosity-Solidarity
Lily's Corner - Brighton High School Student
My name is Lily Heineman. I am a senior at Brighton High School. I am going to be writing about the Brighton Area School Pack of Dogs, about their effect on the students, their purpose, and even just about the dogs being dogs!
This month’s dog of the month is a very good golden boy, Duncan! Duncan is a very loving dog, he loves to be pet and cuddled, and he loves supporting others. Although he is calm when at school, when at home, Duncan is very playful and full of energy. Just like Duncan, we all act differently in different scenarios, and that’s just fine! We’re all diverse people, and handle different scenarios in different ways. He knows how to act at work, and how to act at home. Duncan loves to be with the students at Maltby, and is a very sweet boy just full of love and affection. He gets sad when he doesn't get to see his student friends. All in all, Duncan is a very sweet and affectionate dog, who knows when the best time to play is, and when it’s instead time to chill out.
Until next time!
Lily
Dog of the Month - Duncan
Duncan lives with Michele Krayer a 5th-grade teacher and her family. Duncan enjoys his long walks with his family. Duncan also has a special sibling Bailey at home.
Duncan has a laid back personality and is protective of his friends at Maltby. He is our dog that sleeps snuggled up in his dog bed. Duncan enjoys things to be calm and is very tolerant.
Duncan's favorite activity is long walks in the woods. He takes daily 3-4 mile walks every day. Pre-COVID Duncan spent hours working with the Project Unify Team at Brighton High School. He also spent many weekends with the Special Olympics Team of Michigan with his buddy Jack Krayer.
Duncan's sponsors:
When Caesar left Maltby to go to high school, we knew that we could not leave behind our students at Maltby. The special thing about Duncan is he has one sponsor. 5 1/2 years ago, Mrs Storey and Dr. Eric Duncan of Duncan Chiropractic Group worked out a true partnership that would benefit all students of BAS. Since Dr. Duncan was the sole sponsor he was able to name this handsome boy, Duncan. So Duncan is named after Dr. Eric Duncan, Duncan Chiropractic Group. Dr. Duncan, tell us "I knew that this sponsorship was an investment in the BAS community and that this would continue to lead the way for all schools to receive a dog to benefit all of us."
Dr. Hilton who is one of the partners of Duncan Chiropractic Group tells us this, “ "Becoming a business sponsor of 'Duncan the therapy dog' has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our entire team. In return of our sponsorship, we have gained year after year of recognition in our community. Duncan is, of course, the cutest mascot we could possibly have to represent our business. To say it is a "win-win" would be an understatement. It has been a HUGE win for our company and the community we serve."
We are so thankful for their commitment to BAS. If you are in need of chiropractic services and massage therapies to provide pain relief and improve quality of life give them
a call or visit their website. https://www.duncanchiropracticgroup.com/brighton-howell-mi-chiropractor
Food Sponsor:
We are so thankful for Science Diet - Hills to supply our food to our pack. Duncan eats the large breed line. Science Hills Diet has taken great care of our pups. We are thankful to Anthony Quinn who is the regional manager for Hills. Thank you! https://www.hillspet.com/science-diet
Veterinary Care:
Crystal Eberly who is our vet from Washtenaw County Veterinary Hospital takes great care of Duncan and many of his dog friends. Crystal is also a parent in our district and community member. Crystal has our dogs health and well being at heart. She spends time educating us on any issues that arise and also will be meeting with the pack of handlers to provide some canine tips to staying healthy. Thank you, Crystal! https://washtenawveterinaryhospital.com/
Grooming:
Duncan and all of our dogs are groomed by Kim the owner of Scruffy to Fluffy. Every month our pups will take the day and have some time to just relax and be pampered. Kim loves our pups and we love her. Stop on by with your dog and let them enjoy their doggie spa treatment. http://scruffytofluffyofbrighton.com/
Duncan's Sponsors
Our Crew of 5 brothers and sisters turned 3!
Happy Birthday to Caesar!
Special Scout
Brighton Ford Halloween Community Event!
Happy Holidays from Santa and Chevy!
Keeper is comforting a student she loves.
Program Goals and the Impact
- Improved relationships with peers and teachers
- Positive attitude toward learning & improved motivation
- Gains in confidence
- Decrease in learner anxiety behaviors that interfere with academic growth
- Increase in school attendance
- Increased academic achievement
Impact
- Provide students with positive academic, emotional, and behavioral support
- Share relationship-building skills and trustworthiness
- Exemplify calming techniques and self-regulation
- Experience sharing, overcoming personal obstacles
- Help with test anxiety and stress
- Address respect of personal territory and boundaries
- Positive impact on self-esteem and confidence
- Teach assertiveness without anger, empathy, patience and forgiveness
- Expand awareness of conflict resolution skills and how to have difficult conversations
- Encourage positive choices and decision-making skills
- To be a tool used in academic lessons
School districts that are modeling our program
- Frankenmuth Schools
- Fenton Public Schools
- West Ottawa Schools
- Clarkston Schools
- Saginaw Chippewa
- Portage Northern HS
- Walled Lake Schools
- Howell Schools
- Battle Creek Schools
- Hartland Schools
- Petoskey Public Schools
- Dexter Schools
- Oscoda Schools
- Mt. Morris
- Ann Arbor Public Schools
- Fowlerville Schools
- Kentwood Public Schools
- East Jordan Schools
- South Lyon Schools
- Avondale Schools
Thank you Volunteers
- Nada Obrenovich, Nada spent many years teaching at coaching at BAS. She has always been a huge supporter of our program. Nada is our program evaluator who evaluates and troubleshoots any issues that may arise.
- Abigail Farmer, a BAS parent is our event coordinator. She spends time updating every dog binder at each school with important records. She also coordinates community events that the dogs can attend. She also spends time walking Oliver from time to time.
- Deb Ditto, a BAS parent has spent the last few years with us supporting the program. Ford at Scranton is named after her father. Deb and her family helped support Ford's training. Deb spends time hen there is an emergency that arises and the schools need more than one dog on that particular day. Deb is a licensed counselor as well.