A calm presence, a lasting impact: Beau supports students at Covenant High School
At Covenant High School in Detroit, support for students sometimes comes with four legs, a wagging tail and a quiet, steady presence.
Beau, a trained facility dog placed through a partnership with Priority Health and Canines for Change, is part of the daily rhythm of the school. He is helping students stay present, manage their emotions and find a sense of calm throughout the school day.
The program is part of Priority Pups, a growing initiative designed to support student mental health. Since launching in 2023, the program has reached more than 13,500 students. It is built on a simple idea: when students feel supported, they are better able to learn.
Antonio pets Beau during class at Covenant High School. Beau, a trained facility dog placed through a partnership with Priority Health and Canines for Change, supports students throughout the school day.
The addition of Beau to the Covenant High School staff made him the first Priority Pup placed in the city of Detroit, and the first to serve high school students.
Antonio, a senior preparing to graduate this spring, described Beau’s presence in simple but powerful terms.
“He’s calm,” Antonio said. “I like him. He makes me focus sometimes.”
In a school environment where many students are working to get back on track academically, that sense of focus matters. For Antonio, who transferred to Covenant after struggling to find the right fit elsewhere, the school and Beau have played a role in helping him move forward.
“The school can help you out a lot,” he said. “They got me right.”
But Beau’s impact goes deeper than academics.
“I was depressed,” Antonio shared. “He was the one who was bringing me up.”
For staff, those moments are both visible and meaningful. Annette Munoz, a special education teacher, recalled one student who often had a hard time managing his emotions. One day, that same student ended up lying on the floor next to Beau, slowly calming down.
“To see him relax and feel safe, it was just really heartwarming,” Munoz said. “These students come from a lot of stress. Beau brings some peace.”
That sense of calm can be felt throughout the building. Teachers and staff describe students as more open and more willing to engage. In classrooms where expectations are high, Beau creates a natural pause in the day. Not a distraction, just a moment to reset.
“Sometimes students need a break, but they don’t ask,” said Manal Hajoul, a science teacher. “When Beau comes in, it gives them that moment. After that, they are ready to learn again.”
Even students who were hesitant at first have come around.
“One student said she didn’t like dogs,” said Abdullah Noman, science teacher “By the second week, she was bringing treats, hugging Beau and opening up more in class.”
The impact extends beyond students. For educators navigating the demands of the day, Beau offers a moment to breathe.
“After petting him for a minute, I can feel my blood pressure coming down,” Munoz said. “He’s a help to everyone here. Students and staff.”
Beau’s presence is carefully structured. Trained through Canines for Change and handled by Covenant staff member David Carravallah, he is both a companion and a working member of the school community.
“He’s the school’s dog,” Carravallah said. “There’s a responsibility that comes with that. He’s here to support students, and we take that seriously.”
Each day, Beau moves from classroom to classroom, meeting students where they are, offering quiet support, a moment of connection or simply a reason to smile.
For Grand Valley, this work reflects a broader commitment to reimagining public education, creating innovative environments where students can thrive.
Through partnerships like Priority Pups, schools like Covenant are exploring bold ideas that respond to real needs, ensuring students have access to the tools, relationships and support that help them succeed.
Sometimes, that support is a dog who knows exactly when to sit beside a student who needs it most.
