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PAWZitivity: Facility Dogs on Campus

Meet the MPCSD Facility Dogs and see them in action at our schools. The dogs are Fiona, Sunny, Millie, Cali, Patches, and Duke. Eclair is an honorary PAWZitivity dog as she was the dog that piloted this program and began our journey. PAWZitivity is sponsored by the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF).

Superintendent Gracia in her office with Duke and Millie
A group of students and teachers at Oak Knoll with Duke and Cali
Patches greets students in the Hillview Library
A group of students hugs Patches the Facility Dog
Patches greets a child at Schoolhouse Rocks Run
Three facility dogs at the MPAEF Schoolhouse Rocks Run
Facility Dogs at Schoolhouse Rocks Run with a group of students
Mille and Sunny at the MPAEF Schoolhouse Rocks Run
Runners pose with Sunny the Facility Dog at Schoolhouse Rocks Run
Students at Hillview Graduation pose with Duke the Facility Dog
Facility Dog Duke with one student
Sunny the Facility Dog reads a book
Student reading with Sunny the Facility Dog
Paintings of dog paws by Hillview Dog Club students
PAWZitivity dogs pose in front of the MPCSD District Office

What is PAWZitivity?

The idea of bringing highly trained facility dogs to a school setting is not new. There is much research showing the benefits of dogs at schools, including increased attendance, sense of belonging, decreased anxiety, and improved academics. MPCSD's own survey data, teacher observations, and student experience affirms that dogs at school do affect positive change.

MPCSD partnered with 4 PAWZ Strong, a nonprofit organization in Michigan that trains and places Social Emotional Learning dogs in schools. Their success with over 100 dogs provided valuable guidance for MPCSD's program. All of MPCSD's dogs were trained for their first year of life by the 4 PAWZ Strong team, earned multiple AKC training certificates, then moved to Menlo Park to live with staff members who applied to become PAWZitivity hosts and have welcomed their dogs into their homes and provide love and care as their own dogs. The difference is these dogs get to come to school with their people and serve students every day!

MPCSD's facility dogs were born in summer 2022 and began working in schools in spring 2023. They are expected to serve about nine years given their good health, before retiring. Read the following FAQ to learn more!

PAWZitivity FAQ

What is the history of this program?

In 2019, MPCSD began exploring what it would be like to have therapy dogs on campus. It began with Boris who came to school with his human partner through Pet Partners.  This Therapy Dog Team would read with Second Graders a couple of times a month. At the same time, a parent in the district had an officially trained Community Dog. As we were going to begin having Éclair come to Hillview and be a classroom dog, COVID began and so the pilot was put on hold. Éclair began full-time working in a 6th grade classroom in the fall of 2021.  By the spring of 2022, we knew we wanted this program because of the positive responses from students and families. At the MPAEF Spring 2022 Auction, the vision came true with the generous financial support. Our goal was to have one dog at each of the 5 MPCSD campuses, and the MPAEF funding allowed that to happen.

Where do MPCSD's dogs come from?

By June 2022, MPCSD partnered with the nonprofit 4pawzstrong.com to bring social-emotional learning dogs to each of our schools.  Over the years 4PAWZ Strong has placed over 100 dogs in Michigan schools. Their belief, supported by research, is that social-emotional learning dogs: 

  • Assist teachers working with students who feel angry, are being bullied, bully others, or have other behavior problems.
  • They can help students who feel anxious, sad, or upset at school.
  • They can help students read and understand stories better by having them read to the dogs.
  • Therapy Dogs help without saying any words. 
  • They help children feel better if they are having a bad day and to also feel safe.

By March 2023 after extensive basic training, our dogs began the long journey from Goodrich, Michigan. 

Who are the MPCSD PAWZitivity dogs?

Millie – Encinal

Patches – Hillview

Cali – Oak Knoll

Sunny – Upper Campus

Duke – District-Wide

Fiona – Lower Campus

Éclair is a retired service dog 

Boris lives in Menlo Park and is a Therapy Dog with Pet Partners

Fun fact - Millie, Cali, and Sunny are sisters!

Why are we doing this?

Over the years, numerous research studies have validated the benefits of animal assisted activity and in particular the contribution of dogs. Empirical evidence shows that trained dogs can enhance children’s psychological development, improve social skills, and increase self-esteem, among other benefits. Dogs can also teach responsibility, compassion, and respect for other living things. Dogs in the classroom can be used to calm fears, relieve anxiety, and teach skills.  

One of the most significant impacts that dogs can make in the classroom is in students’ socio-emotional development. Besides their training, dogs bring their lovable and loving characteristics. These friendly companions are good listeners and offer great companionship and an audience to children without making any judgments. Students can bond readily with dogs, feeling more connected and confident.  

Dogs help children learn social skills, preventing social isolation. Interaction with dogs has also been found to cause a social catalyst effect, and this further helps improve the stimulation of social behavior. The relationships between the dogs and students helps develop trust in children, making children more likely to develop a broader capacity for empathy. Studies show that this helps reduce negative behavior in children. Spending time with dogs also helps improve children’s mental wellbeing. There is intense pressure on children in school environments.

Besides making a positive impact on the emotional wellbeing of children, studies show that the very presence in an educational environment tends to improve the areas of cognition, attention, concentration, relaxation, and motivation. This helps in reducing stress levels that would otherwise affect proper learning.

What are the benefits of dogs in schools?

Numerous research studies have demonstrated how dogs can help both school-age students and staff with social and emotional learning needs. Some of the benefits recorded in school classrooms include:

  • Increased school attendance.
  • Positive changes lead to better learning and enhanced motivation.
  • Growth in confidence levels.
  • Development of better and stronger relationships with teachers and peers due to the experience of trust and love with therapy dogs.  
  • Children learn ways to express their feelings and develop more trusting relationships.
  • Reducing learner anxiety behaviors causes improvement in learning outcomes like improved reading and writing skills and levels.
  • Increased literacy.
  • Therapy dogs help reduce student stress and anxiety and improve school attendance.
  • Provide immediate support In the wake of traumatic events through connection and comfort.

Social Benefits 

  • Teach empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills
  • Help students develop social skills
  • Be soothing and help adults to build rapport with students.
  • Improve student’s ability to pick up on social cues imperative to human relationships

Physical Benefits

  • Lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.
  • Reduce the amounts of medications some people need.
  • Slow breathing in those who are anxious.
  • Release hormones such as Phenylethylamine, which has the same effect as chocolate.
  • Diminish overall physical pain.

Cognitive Benefits

  • Improved reading skills
  • Enhanced executive-functioning skills
  • Stimulating memory and problem-solving skills

How does PAWZitivity work?

  • District Staff and families applied to be a host of a dog. Ultimately, each dog was placed with a district staff member.

  • The dog is an employee of the school district and comes to work every day. They have a schedule and potty breaks

  • When the dog goes home, they get to be a family pet.

  • The host families are required to maintain the health of the dog (wellness checks and vaccinations, food, toys etc).

  • Prior to coming to the school district, the dogs are provided extensive training and receive certifications from the American Kennel Club.

  • These dogs are not Service Dogs or Emotional Support Dogs. MPCSD Dogs are Facility Dogs. When these dogs are not working in a school or at a school function, they are a family pet. For example, this means they are not allowed in stores or able to travel on planes.

  • Host families maintain the training of the dogs.

  • Over time, additional interested school staff will also be trained on how to work with the dogs at their site.

What is a Facility Dog?

Facility dogs are trained dogs that provide comfort, affection, and support to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. They are used to improve the emotional, social, and cognitive well-being of people of all ages. One of the main benefits of facility dogs is their ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that interacting with a facility dog can lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone associated with stress. Additionally, facility dogs can help reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels in people who are undergoing medical procedures or are in stressful situations. Facility dogs can provide a non-judgmental and non-threatening presence that can help individuals feel more comfortable and open up to social interactions.

Unlike a therapy or service dog, facility dogs are not trained to be with just one person. They know basic commands are are trained to take commands from any trained person. Therefore, PAWZitivity dogs can be handled by multiple school staff members while they are working, even though they live with one consistent family.

Facility dogs can be particularly beneficial at schools, as they can help improve social skills, reduce anxiety, and provide a source of comfort and emotional support to children. Here are some specific ways therapy dogs can help kids:

  1. Reducing anxiety: Interacting with a facility dog can be a calming and soothing experience for children. Studies have shown that petting a dog can lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone associated with stress.

  2. Improving social skills: For children with anxiety or social struggles, facility dogs can provide a non-judgmental and safe way to practice socializing and communication skills. Dogs can also serve as a conversation starter and help children build connections with others.

  3. Boosting self-esteem: Children who are struggling with academic or social challenges may benefit from spending time with a facility dog. Dogs offer unconditional love and can help children feel more confident and capable.

  4. Providing emotional support: Children who are dealing with emotional issues, such as grief or trauma, may find comfort in spending time with a facility dog. Dogs can provide a source of unconditional love and support, which can help children cope with difficult emotions.

Read more:

PAWZitivity - The Almanac (June 2023) – MPCSD Featured in the Almanac

BAS Pack Of Dogs to Help Comfort Oxford Students – December 2021

Brighton Area Schools Employ Therapy Dogs – March 2022

Comfort dogs are greeting Uvalde students for their return to school. Here’s how canine visitors can help after tragedy – September 2022

A golden retriever provided comfort and calm to gymnasts at the Olympic trials. How pet therapy works. - July 2024

Atherton Police's newest employee is Emmy the therapy dog. - July 2024

San Mateo County Sheriff's therapy dog program expands to three - September 2024