GLPS Facility Dog Program
GLPS Facility Dog Program
The Grand Ledge Public Schools Facility Dog Program was started and continues in collaboration with Canines for Change, and GLPS has placed a facility dog in every school building. Learn more about Canines for Change at its website – you can even sign up to get a newsletter from Canines for Change.
What is a facility dog?
Facility dogs are working dogs that have been trained to help multiple people in a facility like a hospital, nursing home, or school. Facility dogs are like therapy dogs except instead of traveling to different locations, they work in the same place every day.
What will the facility dogs do in our schools?
Our facility dogs will be available to staff and students who wish to interact with them in different ways such as reading, practicing math facts, or just cuddling and spending time. Our facility dogs can also be utilized for PT exercises, breaks, crisis intervention, communication, and friendship building among many other things.
Abu - Delta Center Elementary
Abu works at Delta Center Elementary, where teacher Kim Wheat is his host. He is a loved and valued member of the Delta Center Staff and enjoys helping students be the best versions of themselves.
Alfie - Willow Ridge Elementary
Alfie works at Willow Ridge Elementary, and teacher Jill Ford is Alfie's host.
Clover - Sawdon Administration Building
Clover works at the Sawdon Administration Building, and the business office's accounts payable technician Laura Konen is Clover's host.
Diesel - Holbrook Elementary
Diesel works at Holbrook Elementary, and teacher Katie Gregory is Diesel's host.
Gravy - Grand Ledge High School
Gravy works at Grand Ledge High School, and Dean of Students Maria Capra is Gravy's host. Gravy is a chocolate labrador retriever, and she has been working in the high school since 2021. Gravy is available for classroom and individual visits. When not in class, Gravy can be found greeting students at the beginning of the day and walking in the halls during passing time and lunches. Gravy loves to spend time with the students and staff, getting belly rubs and giving hugs.
Gretl - Beagle Middle School
Gretl works at Beagle Middle School, and English teacher Gillian Eisenbraun is her host. Born in 2021, this fun-loving, sleepy goldendoodle loves being with students and staff, walks through the halls, and enjoys Milkbones in lieu of coffee.
Lucy - Delta Mills & Neff Early Childhood Centers
Lucy works at Delta Mills & Neff Early Childhood Centers, and teaching assistant Vicky Campos-Rodriguez is Lucy's host.
Lucy was in a segment on Fox 47 News, highlighting her support of the MSU community.
Sandee - Wacousta Elementary
Sandee works at Wacousta Elementary, and Dean of Students Sara Taylor is Sandee's host. Sandee is a standard poodle and has had extensive training for his job. Sandee began working at Wacousta in the fall of 2021. Sandee is available for staff to sign up for classroom and individual visits. All students and staff will have a lesson on how to interact with Sandee at the start of the school year.
Sheldon - Hayes Intermediate School
Sheldon works at Hayes Intermediate School, and teacher Jeff Palacios is Sheldon's host.
Facility Dog Program
Bill Albrecht
Facility Dog Program Coordinator
