Facility Dogs Fetch Meaningful Moments for FHSD Students
Secondary students are seeing some new (furry) faces in the hallways this school year. Nagel Middle School and both Anderson and Turpin high schools are piloting a new facility dog program this spring designed to support student wellness in a meaningful, hands-on way. Each secondary building has welcomed its own trained facility dog, made possible through the generous support of the Forest Hills Foundation for Education.
Meet the newest members of our school communities: Marko at Anderson High School, Raiden at Turpin High School and Mays at Nagel Middle School. While they may draw smiles in the hallways, these dogs have an important job to do.
“These dogs are specially trained to support student well-being by providing comfort, connection and a sense of calm through positive daily interactions,” Nagel Principal Tiffany Brennan explained.
Facility dogs are always accompanied by trained staff handlers and interact with students through structured classroom visits, small-group sessions and other activities. Whether it’s offering a quiet moment to reset or a calming presence during a busy day, these dogs help students refocus and return to learning with confidence.
“It is wonderful to be able to offer this support to students,” Superintendent Larry Hook said. “Programs like this create meaningful moments of connection that help students feel safe, supported and ready to learn.”
All three dogs received extensive, specialized training through Circle Tail, a regional leader in preparing dogs for school and community environments. The Forest Hills Foundation for Education and its generous donors are covering the full cost of the program, allowing the district to add this invaluable resource at no additional cost to taxpayers.
This initiative also reflects an important part of our district’s Culture Blueprint: strong connections and serving and supporting others. These facility dogs are another way we bring that commitment to life. By creating spaces where students feel safe, valued and understood, we strengthen the foundation for both academic growth and personal well-being.
So far this school year students in grades 7-12 have been able to interact with their school’s designated facility dog for enhanced calm, comfort and connection. See the photos below for just some of the ways Marko, Raiden and Mays have been able to support students and staff:
