Project CLASS Canine Learning and Support in Schools

Executive Summary

Project CLASS is an initiative of Firefly Meadow Service Dogs Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to breeding and training purpose-driven assistance dogs. This program’s mission is to place facility dogs into schools across the region, creating learning environments where students, teachers, and sta can thrive. Decades of research show that the presence of trained facility dogs reduces stress, enhances social-emotional learning, improves attendance, and fosters stronger school communities. Project CLASS provides schools with a structured, sustainable model for integrating facility dogs into their daily operations, ensuring long-term impact and measurable success.

Mission Statement

To enhance student well-being, academic engagement, and school culture by placing professionally trained facility dogs in schools, supporting both educational and emotional outcomes.

Program Goals

• Support Student Success
  • Reduce stress and anxiety through daily interaction with facility dogs.
  • Encourage emotional regulation, resilience, and positive peer connections.
• Enhance Academic Engagement
  • Increase classroom participation and focus. Improve literacy through structured “Read with Me” programs.
  • Foster an atmosphere that motivates consistent attendance.
• Build Stronger School Communities
  • Promote empathy, responsibility, and inclusivity among students.
  • Provide a calming presence during school-wide events and transitions.
• Support Educator & Staff Wellness
  • Offer stress relief and emotional support for teachers and staff.
  • Contribute to a healthier, more positive work environment.

Program Structure

Dog Selection & Training

• Dogs are carefully bred for temperament, health, and work suitability.
• Training includes obedience, public access, and specialized school-readiness skills.
• Dogs are desensitized to common school environments (classrooms, hallways, playgrounds).

School Partnership Model

• Each school is matched with a certified Facility Dog and a trained staff handler.
• Ongoing handler training ensures safety, compliance, and program consistency.
• Annual evaluations provide accountability and continuous improvement.

Implementation Phases

1. Pilot Phase – Select a small group of schools for initial placements and evaluation.
2. Expansion Phase – Scale placements based on measurable outcomes and demand.
3. Sustainability Phase – Build long-term partnerships and secure ongoing funding.

Core Program Activities

• Classroom Engagement: Dogs present during reading time, test preparation, and calming exercises.
• Student Wellness: Small group and one-on-one sessions to support emotional needs.
• Staff Wellness: Presence in teacher lounges and during professional development days.
• School-Wide Participation: Assemblies, spirit days, and wellness events.
• Community Outreach: Facility dogs as ambassadors at school events and family nights.

Measurable Outcomes

Project CLASS will collect and evaluate data in partnership with schools, focusing on:

• Attendance: Increased daily attendance rates.
• Behavior: Reduction in office referrals and behavioral incidents.
• Academic Performance: Literacy participation and improvement in reading fluency.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Growth in empathy, emotional regulation, and peer interactions.
• Staff Wellness: Positive changes in teacher and staff satisfaction surveys.
• School Climate: Overall improvement in connectedness and inclusivity.

Funding & Sustainability

Project CLASS is designed with sustainability at its core:

• Grants & Educational Foundations: Secure funding from local, state, and national education and wellness programs.
• Corporate & Community Sponsorships: Partner with businesses and civic organizations to underwrite placements.
• District-Level Partnerships: Build cost-sharing models with school districts for long-term investment.
• Annual Reports: Publish outcome-based reports to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and impact.

Long-Term Vision
Project CLASS envisions a future where every school has access to a facility dog, ensuring that every student—regardless of background or circumstance—benefits from the emotional support, academic encouragement, and community-building power of canine partners.

By systematically scaling placements, training staff, and building sustainable partnerships, Project CLASS will transform educational environments and serve as a national model for integrating facility dogs into schools.

Conclusion
Project CLASS represents more than the introduction of dogs into schools—it is an investment in student well-being, teacher resilience, and healthier school communities. With the right support, we can create a future where facility dogs are a standard resource in education, ensuring that students not only learn, but thrive.