BAS Pack of Dogs
October 2020 Edition #2
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!
Do you ever wonder what the purpose of the Pack of Dogs is? Well, they are here for a reason, multiple reasons, actually! The Pack are what we call “ Social-emotional learning dogs”, and they can help with a bunch of things. The dogs can help with students struggling with bullying, harsh emotions, sadness, anxiety, and other things that students may struggle with alone. They can also help students develop social skills, as the dogs provide companionship and may help kids to be able to open up. The dogs can help students to learn things like reading, as they listen to the reading very intently, and don’t judge. The calm behavior of the dogs makes them a good starting place for learning many social and life skills.
Dog of the Month - Chevy
Chevy lives with our pack founder Karen Storey and her family. Her husband Scott is BAS social-emotional learning coach. Their four sons love having Chevy be a part of their family.
Chevy has a vocal personality and is still learning to adjust to his important job. He is our dog that sleeps with one eye open. He is always looking to see what is going to happen next. He is very alert to his surroundings and what is going on around him. He loves kids and staff. He has a sweet and kind demenor.
Chevy loves to retrieve which fits well with the Storey household. They are a big baseball and football family. You will see Chevy spending his spare time playing catch and spending many hours at sporting events.
Chevy's sponsors:
Chevy was named by Randy Wise Automotive Group out of Gennesse County. Randy Wise named him Chevy because it was the Chevy dealership that he started his business with. Randy Wise took the opportunity to be the sole sponsor of our Chevy and received the naming rights. We are so thankful for their commitment to BAS. If you are in the market for a new or used car visit Randy Wise Automotive at www.randywiseauto.com
Food Sponsor:
We are so thankful for Science Diet - Hills to supply our food to our Pack. Chevy 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 Chevy 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:
Chevy 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/
Mask Wearing 101
Happy Fall!
Cool Pack of Dogs Gear!
Suicide Awareness Event to support Our BAS family!
Happy Birthday to Alley!
Chevy just chillin!
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
Handler Information
- Nada our program evaluator will be reaching out to schedule our bi-yearly evaluation. Please check your email.
- Abigail our event coordinator will be reaching out to schedule a time to drop off each dog's binder with all of the important information.
- I am working on setting up a wellness conference call for all of us to attend with Crystal Eberly.