Grant Application for
The Public Schools of Petoskey-Petoskey Pack
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Public Schools of Petoskey is to advance the education and skills of all students in an equitable manner through the participation and involvement of staff, students, parents, and others in the community.
The Petoskey Pack is dedicated to supporting the social and emotional well-being of both students and staff by ensuring that every school has a therapy dog. This initiative fosters a positive and supportive environment, helping to meet the growing need for emotional support across the district.
Fiscal agent if applicant is not tax exempt:
Public Schools of Petoskey
Tax ID Number:
38-6001179
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Amy
Janssens
Address:
1415 Howard St Petoskey, MI 49770
Email:
Phone Number:
231-748-4898
Website:
Project Name:
Petoskey Pack
Project start and end dates:
May 5, 2019
June 12, 2025
Amount Requested:
$
4000
Project Description:
The Public Schools of Petoskey launched its therapy dog pilot program in 2019 with Poppy, an invaluable asset to Petoskey High School. The program expanded with the addition of Henry, who serves students at Lincoln Elementary. As we observed the positive impact of therapy dogs on student well-being and emotional support, we recognized a growing need for social and emotional assistance within our schools. In response, the district set a goal to have a therapy dog in every Petoskey school.
In the fall of 2024, Auggie and Bodie joined Central Elementary and Sheridan Elementary. Two additional dogs, Ace and Hutch, are currently being trained as therapy dogs for Petoskey Middle School and Ottawa Elementary.
We are requesting assistance to help fund the training of Bodie, who is currently serving at Sheridan Elementary. This funding would directly support paying for a portion of Bodie's training at Ugly Dog Training Center.
Goal of the Project
How many people will you reach?
298
What percentage are female?
161
If your program serves both males and females, how will Hestia funds specifically target women and girls?
When we first decided to bring a therapy dog into Sheridan, we focused primarily on the students. However, one of the most surprising outcomes has been Bodie’s impact on our largely female staff. All 16 of our classroom teachers are female, and 86% of our staff is female. With teacher burnout being a significant issue across the country, Bodie has become a valuable source of support for our staff. His calming presence helps teachers ease the pressures of their demanding jobs.
Bodie also plays a key role in supporting our Student Support Specialist. The specialist works with students independently and in small groups, 40% of whom are female. These small groups focus on building leadership, self-awareness, and self-management skills. His presence allows students to feel more open and connected while fostering a growth mindset.
Bodie also visits classrooms, providing emotional support and connection as students work on academics. Bodie’s presence in our school has become more than just a therapeutic addition. He has woven himself into the fabric of our school community, supporting students and staff. His intuitive ability to sense when someone needs comfort makes him an invaluable support system for everyone at the school.
How are recipients identified or selected to receive services? Is financial need considered?
Bodie participates in social-emotional learning lessons in each classroom every week and joins students for small group and individual meetings with our Student Support Specialist. Students who meet with the specialist are selected based on recommendations from classroom teachers, supporting staff, and families. During these sessions, Bodie provides emotional support, helping students feel more comfortable as they work on developing important skills like self-awareness and self-management. Bodie spends time in individual classrooms throughout the week.
What do you hope to achieve? What difference will this make in the lives of women and girls?
How will this project meet Hestia's mission statement?
Our primary goal for Bodie is to support stress management for students and staff, thereby improving the overall well-being of everyone in the school. This goal aligns directly with Hestia's mission to support the well-being of women and girls. As highlighted in The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, the rise in social media use among youth has had a greater impact on girls than boys, contributing to disproportionate levels of anxiety and depression in females. We are seeing this impact firsthand in our schools, with rising levels of anxiety and mental health challenges among female students.
To better address our students' academic and mental health needs, the Public Schools of Petoskey reached out to the therapy dog training facility that provided Poppy and Henry. We were pleased to learn that they had a dog ready for placement. Recognizing the urgency of the need, the district took the rare step of approving Bodie’s placement before securing funding for his training, allowing him to start supporting students immediately. We are therefore asking you to take the rare step of supporting a program that is already in place and making a positive impact. Contributing to this program can help ensure that Bodie's role continues.
How will you evaluate or measure your success:
Our success will be measured in two key ways. The first is tracking if students and staff have consistent opportunities to engage with Bodie weekly. We will ensure that Bodie visits every classroom, attends staff meetings, and participates in social-emotional learning during small group and individual sessions. We also work to increase the time our female students interact with Bodie. The second measure will compare wellness data from last year, when Bodie was absent, to this year, when he has been actively involved in the school. This will help us assess the impact of Bodie’s presence on the overall well-being of students and staff.
Grant Project Budget Form
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