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Schoolcraft College seeks public’s help in naming five new comfort dogs coming to campus this year 

Schoolcraft College is grrrrr-owing. This picture is of a litter of labs from Ontario, Canada-based Lucky Labs. Five dogs from various litters are currently being raised and trained at Lucky Labs to be comfort dogs, designed to serve several roles on campus when they officially become members of the Schoolcraft family later this year. 

Before the pooches arrive this spring for training with their handlers, the College is reaching out to the community for its help: naming each of the five dogs via an online poll taking place this week. 

Polls opened on the College’s Instagram account on Tuesday, Feb. 27, with options for names for all five dogs. A list of the names, along with background information on them and the person who will be their handler, can be found on the College’s website.  

Dubbed the Campus Comfort Companions, the puppies will receive several weeks of Lab Puppy Training when they are eight weeks old. They will be delivered to campus when they are 12 weeks old later this spring. As they become accustomed to their new homes, the puppies will receive advanced obedience training. 

The puppies will begin as “in-training” comfort dogs by the start of the fall semester.

“These new comfort dogs will serve a vital role at Schoolcraft College when they arrive. Their presence will bring smiles to faces and help our students and staff take a moment to simply recharge and rejuvenate with fun-loving energy that only a dog can bring,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College.

Full integration into the campus by next year.

Once the dogs hit their first birthdays, they will receive therapy dog training and certification. After that, they will become full members of the campus community.

After their training, they will be available for visits and events across campus. That includes assisting students in reducing stress, with their goal to help improve mental health.

“Each dog will be assigned to a Schoolcraft College police officer who is responsible for their care on campus and in their home each night,” said Colleen Pilgrim, a psychology professor and faculty liaison to the Campus Comfort Companion program. “Each officer will be matched with a staff or faculty handler who will coordinate additional comfort dog interactions with our community.”

The dogs are being paid for through the generosity of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. 

HOW TO VOTE

Members of the public are invited to visit the College’s Instagram page, @schoolcraftnow. The polls can be viewed through the “Stories” section and users can select their pick using the poll function. The College will then announce the winners at a later date. A full list of the finalist names can be found on the College’s website. 

Our hometown continues to help provide educational excellence. Here are two ways you can be a part of

continuing the programs that enhance Livonia.

Livonia Westland Chamber of Commerce

Annual Leadership and Awards Recognition

There are two major award programs each year recognizing individuals, organizations, and businesses for the foundation they lay shaping the hometown that we can all be proud of. Every February the Livonia/Westland Chamber of Commerce acknowledges Legacy Award Winners for contributions over several years, the First Citizen Award, and several business-related awards. The Livonia and Clarenceville Schools also announce their Educators of the Year.

The first Thursday of October the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame, now in its 20th year, salutes 5-6 individuals and organizations that have helped give us an excellent hometown in every way.

The Chamber Awards Program was last night and Musings is pleased to share with our readers those who were saluted last evening.

Livonia Legacy Award: Cheryl Doelker

After 29 years of work in a hospital lab and medical equipment sales, Cheryl Doelker was looking to start her own business when her college-age sons made her aware of a popular sandwich shop on campus.

This led to Wayne County’s first Jimmy John’s Restaurant on Six Mile near Newburgh in Livonia, opened by Doelker and her husband, Jeff, in 2001. While bringing customers in was important, Doelker also found it important to mentor the young people who worked in her shops.

The focus on customer service, mentoring and community involvement enabled the Doelkers to grow their business to nine locations.

Livonia Legacy Award: John Del Signore

John Del Signore has been a successful entrepreneur by providing good times and good food at several Livonia locations for 60 years.

He was born and raised in Italy and lived his early years in Venezuela where he joined other relatives in working in construction. He returned to Italy in 1958 to marry his beloved Lina but left a short time later to go to Michigan to work at a cousin’s restaurant, then later another place in Livonia. Lina joined him four years later.

In 1964, the Del Signoresopened their first business, DiGiovanni’s Pizzeria, near Six Mile and Farmington. After four years, they sold the pizzeria and later purchased a small restaurant called Italian Hut on Plymouth Road.

In 1974, they opened a new, larger restaurant named for their hometown, Fonte d’Amore. In 1988, the family opened Laurel Manor Banquet and Conference Center on Schoolcraft Road.

John Del Signore is also an inductee in the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame.

Livonia Legacy Award: John Hiltz



John Hiltz grew up learning how to make communities a better place. He started working on road projects during summers as a high school student at the Livonia company his great uncle started, and his father grew. John took OHM Advisors, a community advancement firm focused on engineering, architecture, and planning, to new heights during his 12-year tenure as CEO.

He left the CEO role to be board chair in 2020, and now serves as a semi-retired consultant for the company. Along the way, he shared his time and resources by helping his community and advancing his industry. He finished an interim term on the Livonia Board of Education, chaired fundraising efforts for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, and served on the Livonia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Marywood Nursing Care Center Board, Plymouth Road Development Authority, and several trade industry boards.

He continues his role as chair of the Livonia Community Foundation Board.

OHM is also an inductee in the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame.

Matt Koleszar says that he is thrilled to announce that he is officially on the ballot for the 2024 election!

"Without each and every one of you, reaching this milestone wouldn't have been possible. Your belief in our vision for the future, your tireless efforts in spreading our message, and your steadfast commitment have brought us to this pivotal moment.

"Now, as we move forward into the heart of the campaign season, we have a real opportunity to continue to make a difference and bring about the positive change that our community, our country, and our world so desperately need.

"We have our campaign kickoff coming up in just a few weeks. Tickets can be purchased here, and full event details will be provided upon ticket purchase."

Brandon McCullough, President of the Livonia City Council invites you to join him as he hosts a gathering to help Councilman Jim Jolly kick off his campaign to be the next 16th District Court Judge!

"I can’t think of another person that would be a better judge! He is fair, extremely honest, and his integrity is next to none."

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

[email protected]

Cell address

734-674-5871

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.