This was previously published in our October 2024 issue.
Posters lined the halls of the East Penn School District buildings, with sights set to promote the beloved Therapy Dog Program. On Oct. 12, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms partnered with the EPSD’s three emotional support dogs — Branch, Tokyo, and Mario — hoping to use ticket sales to fund the dogs’ program.
The three dogs joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on their opening night. Discounted tickets for the game were sold for $22 each, with $5 per ticket going back to the organization. In addition to the tickets, 10 percent of the Opening Night’s 50/50 ticket raffle went back to the Therapy Dog Program. A portion of the Chuck-a-Puck profit, an event where fans throw hockey pucks onto the ice in an attempt to hit a target, is also going back to the fundraiser.
“It went pretty well,” Supervisor of Secondary Teaching & Learning (STEM), as well as at Emmaus High School Mike Mihalik, said. “We made about $1,700.”
Though the event was a success, according to Amy Kaunitz, a gifted support, social studies teacher and club advisor for the Interact Club at Emmaus High School, and Tokyo’s caretaker, this is not enough to fully sustain the program.
The profits from this fundraiser will help cover a portion of the dogs’ expenses, but the program will likely be relying on other events moving forward.
Mihalik shares one of the most exciting parts of the night, the 50/50 raffle.
“The 50/50 was over $10,000 which is awesome. A portion of that [gets split] 50/50 to the winner,” Mihalik said. “Then the rest of it gets split between our program and the Phantoms charity partners, so that was a cool little thing that happened.”
The motivation for the EPSD’s decision to partner with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms was to raise more money for the Therapy Dog Program who support EHS students.
“The dogs will be there, so it’s in part, a fundraiser, but also raising community awareness about the program and how the dogs help support students at school,” Kaunitz said. “It helps pay for things like the vet bills — which can be very expensive — their grooming, their food, treats, toys at school. So anything that would help support them to be successful and work with kids.”
The Therapy Dog Program is a donation-based organization that relies on events such as these for funding.
“We do appreciate the support because the puppies need it.”
The program is loved by those who are a part of it, and it’s clear through the pride each member takes in the organization.
“I really feel strongly about supporting the program because I know how valuable these dogs are to students that they work with,” Kaunitz said.
The Therapy Dog Program expressed appreciation for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the support they gave to the therapy dogs. Program leaders hope to do more fundraisers inside the schools soon.
The Phantoms won their opening night game 4-3, while the Therapy Dog Program had their own win, spreading awareness and earning donations for the three pups.
