Attendees: Brent Yauchler, Susan Smith, Peggy Zalucha, Dave Reed, Gary Tree, Bill Dunnington, Dana Fager, Tammy Wedig, Judy Steinhauer, Elizabeth Grabe, Aubree Hanks, Shawn Bollig, Paul Christiansen, Steve Salerno, and guests Zandra Heilmann, Marc Stoddard, Jack Schultek, Crumble the Service Dog, Cody Lundquist, and Brian Johnson.
Happy Bucks: Dana shared the exciting news that she is now a grandmother, while Shawn celebrated having recently visited her grandchild in Sacramento for an ultrasound ahead of the April due date. Susan mentioned that her daughter traveled to Arizona for a retreat and an ultrasound. Gary happily announced his official retirement, and Brent is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Jamaica.
Notes: Jack reported that he completed his EMT coursework and passed his 150-question final exam, leaving only certification steps ahead. Marc is preparing to travel to London to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade. The District Governor will visit on the 21st, and members are encouraged to bring items or club-branded swag in the coming weeks to help create a welcome basket. Members should also save the date for club trivia at Brix on January 21 at 6 p.m., where the club will receive 10% of the night’s profits; Peggy has already created 80 questions and welcomes additional submissions. In February, the Green Team will host trivia at 7 p.m., and the Super Brunch is scheduled for February 8 at 9 a.m. Additionally, the Guatemala water grant has been approved—an 80% match from Rotary International means the club’s $1,000 contribution will exceed $5,000 in total impact.
Next Steps: Members are asked to contact businesses over the next two weeks regarding sponsorship opportunities for the Super Brunch on February 8 at 9 a.m.
Schedule: The next committee meeting will take place on 12/17, and there will be no meeting on 12/24. The next board meeting is scheduled for January 6.
Notes From Our Presentation: Cody Lundquist, High School Principal at Mount Horeb High School, presented on the district’s support dog program and shared the remarkable story of Crumble, who was donated by Custom Canines Service Dog Academy. Crumble underwent a year and a half of training, which typically costs $30,000–$35,000 for service dogs. Cody houses Crumble and uses a detailed schedule to ensure the dog is present where needed throughout the Middle and High School. Additional handlers include Associate Principal Goninen at the Middle School and Emily McGonigle at the High School, both of whom received training. Crumble has become widely loved; for example, one student who is especially attached to him now has a Crumble stuffed animal to use when the real Crumble is unavailable. Schools in the area, including Monona Grove, have reached out to learn about the benefits of service dogs on campus. Crumble plays a critical role in supporting students during crises and throughout their daily routines. One student who recently relocated to the district has benefited greatly from Crumble’s predictability and presence. Brian Johnson, Director of Student Services, explained that the district uses layered support strategies, with Crumble assisting at multiple tiers—from greeting students to helping those who need de-escalation and a stronger sense of belonging.
When a student is struggling, Crumble can be located at one of four designated areas, and handlers can quickly bring him where needed; students also seek him out according to his schedule. The proximity between the Middle and High School makes it easy to bring Crumble across campus as situations arise. Staff play an important role in identifying students who may need additional support, such as those experiencing significant personal loss. Families are surveyed annually regarding comfort levels and allergies related to dogs, and only two students so far have indicated concerns. A Critical Stabilization Grant from the Office of School Safety currently covers Crumble’s grooming and veterinary expenses, helping keep his care low-maintenance and allergy-friendly.
Cody also shared that his family adopted Crumble’s sister, giving Crumble the chance to relax and simply be a dog outside of work hours. Crumble’s specialized training includes supporting individuals with PTSD—he can sense stress and provide compression support by lying on a person’s chest. He does not bark, and he was desensitized to loud noises, so he can remain calm in unpredictable environments. In response to Liz’s question about downtime, Cody explained that Crumble and his sister play every morning, and Crumble is not expected to work after school. He enjoys tug-of-war, swimming in an indoor pool, and socializing with other dogs, though he avoids dog parks to prevent possible incidents that could force an early retirement.
Members have noticed Crumble’s distinct shift into “work mode” when he puts on his service vest. Cody also described the prong collar used in training, noting that it distributes pressure evenly and does not hurt the dog—he tested it on his own leg during training. Crumble has participated in events such as the homecoming parade and is known for remembering students he meets. Jack noted that even brief interactions with Crumble brighten students’ days, and Marc added that Crumble attends Sources of Strength activities, further supporting student well-being.
