HOW DID OUR OWP COME TO BE?
As part of our Recovery Plan, we have launched our own therapy facility dog program. This group of certified therapy facility dogs are known as the Oxford Wildcat Pack (OWP). 4 Pawz Strong (previously known as the Brighton Pack of Dogs), a non-profit organization who assist school districts across the United States in this endeavor partnered with us. They began fundraising efforts to help us purchase all of the sweet, furry faces pictured here along with their training.
With a tremendous amount of love, support, and donations from individuals and organizations from near and far, we have been able to purchase and train four dogs for Oxford High School and one dog for each of our other schools. All of this would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of staff members who offered to become dog handlers and the tremendous hours of work put in to organizing the pack.
Additionally, we are grateful to Parker Veterinary Hospital in Oxford for generously providing free veterinary care for our entire OWP, KT Grooming for complimentary grooming of all of our pups, and Pet Supplies Plus for sponsoring food of some of our pack!
WHEN WILL ALL THE DOGS BE IN BUILDINGS?
All 12 dogs completed the extensive five phase training course necessary to serve our students and staff and are working in our buildings.
WHY THERAPY FACILITY DOGS FOR OCS?
Research has shown that providing therapy dogs in an educational environment can support students’ social-emotional learning, improve school attendance, increase self-confidence, reduce anxiety, and help students build better relationship skills with peers and adults. Just like the volunteer dogs, our Oxford Wildcat Pack pups greet students and staff in the hallways, visit classrooms, attend events, and give lots of extra love to students when they need it.
DONATIONS
For those wishing to donate for the ongoing expenses of the pack, donations are being accepted here:
https://payments.efundsforschools.com/fundraising/districts/56346/campaigns/OxfordWildcatPack
QUESTIONS?
Feel free to contact District Lead OWP Handler/OMS Counselor Katelyn Malburg at [email protected]g for any questions.