Support therapy dogs at BAS with the first-ever Pack Parade
BRIGHTON — Anyone looking to support the Brighton Area Schools’ Pack of Dogs can visit the inaugural “Pack Parade," a one-mile walk fundraiser on Saturday, June 15.
The walk begins at 8 a.m. in the Brighton High School parking lot and will include food trucks, yard games, basket raffles and more. Families can bring their own dogs to participate.
More: Brighton Schools has 14 support dogs and counting
The walk starts at Brighton Mill Pond and ends by the BHS football field. There's no set cost to participate, but families and groups are encouraged to develop their own fundraising team.
The event’s goal is to raise $25,000 for the Brighton Pack of Dogs, said special education teacher Kaitlyn Lipinski. The dog therapy program supports student learning and social comfort. There are 14 program dogs, including a mix of Goldendoodles, a Standard Bernedoodle, an Australian Shepherd, and Labrador Retrievers.
Each elementary school, Bridge Alternative High School, and the district's preschool have one therapy dog each —while intermediate, middle and high schools each have three dogs.
“We want everyone in the community to know about these amazing pups,” Lipinski said, adding the top fundraising teams will win various prizes.
Teachers and administrators serve as handlers, taking therapy dogs home with them daily. BAS is covering operational costs for the program for the first time, starting next school year. Funds from the Pack Parade will cover supplemental costs, including individual costs of the dog handlers and families.
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As with many services, the cost to maintain the program is rising, Lipinski said.
“What we do know is a new therapy and dog training (effort) costs about $10,000," she said.
The average annual cost for each dog already in the pack is about $800.
The therapy dogs provide natural calming for students and teachers, said middle school band and orchestra teacher Jen Evans.
"Having a therapy dog during music class makes the students feel more at ease, peaceful and calm."
Learn more about the event on Facebook by searching for “Inaugural Pack Parade.”
— M. Alan Scott is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Support therapy dogs at BAS with the first-ever Pack Parade
