District finance director details therapy‑dog program, training partnerships and uses in schools

Brian Johnson, identified in the meeting as director of finance and the district therapy‑dog program coordinator, presented the district’s 'healing pause' therapy‑dog program and advised other districts on steps to start similar efforts.

Johnson described how some therapy dogs were trained through a prison‑based program that provides certifications for inmates and prepares dogs to be adopted; he said dogs and handlers receive certifications such as Canine Good Citizen and additional designations that allow a therapy dog to be present during a court deposition if a judge permits. He listed practical uses—reading programs, attendance incentives, staff stress reduction, and support for students during difficult events—and said dogs are insured under the district’s general insurance umbrella.

Johnson explained logistics and ownership variability: some dogs are personally owned by staff (and leave with them if they change roles), while the district provides a limited stipend for handlers and covers some travel or training costs. He said the district has written policies and handbooks developed with legal counsel before program rollout and offered to connect other districts with training partners used by his program.

Johnson framed the program as low‑cost in many cases (some dogs provided at no cost, travel for initial training cited as an example expense of roughly $100) and emphasized it benefits students and staff alike.