When improving mental health is your priority, providing you with the resources to help is ours.
With compassion for our communities, Priority Health is committed to improving mental health and wellness for all Michiganders, putting compassion into action—all across the state.
Priority PupsTM
Lending a hand, with an extra set of paws.
1 in 5 kids struggle with mental health.1
That’s why Priority Health is partnering with Canines for Change to launch Priority Pups™—a signature program of Priority Health for Good—sponsoring trained facility dogs to be placed in select school districts to ease anxiety and support kids as they learn.
Priority Pups™ in action
Muskegon Public Schools: Scout
Godwin Heights Public Schools: Meeka
Scout (pictured to the left), the first-ever Priority Pup, was placed in Muskegon Public Schools in August 2023, where he helps students cope with academic, social and emotional challenges. Scout visits multiple schools across the district impacting hundreds of students per week.
In April 2024, North Godwin Elementary School welcomed Meeka (pictured to the right), a black goldendoodle facility dog, who supports the school’s 385 students in a variety of ways, such as greeting them in the morning and providing comfort as needed throughout the day. Priority Health aims to continue to grow the program and place more pups in schools throughout Michigan.
Priority Pups™ in the news
Priority Pups interest form
If you feel students and teachers in your district would benefit from a Priority Pup, you're welcome to fill out this interest form and we'll reach out to you when we begin the school selection process again. Please talk with your school leadership before completing the form.
About Canines for Change
Since 2005, Canines for Change provides highly-trained service and facility dogs in educational settings. As one of the few organizations who provide these highly-trained dogs to area schools, their team is thrilled to partner with Priority Health to bring Priority Pups™ to school districts across Michigan.
Become a volunteer puppy raiser with our partner Canines for ChangeAdditional resources
Mental health resources
Priority Health knows mental health issues can affect anyone—how we think, feel, act, handle stress, relate to others, or make choices. Whether you’re seeking treatment or simply searching for more information, here you’ll find a range of support and information from organizations dedicated to the betterment of mental health:
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Psychological Association
- Autism Alliance of Michigan
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Child Mind Institute
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Talk Sooner
- The Trevor Project
More ways to improve your mental health
Priority Health remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Read the following ThinkHealth articles to learn more about your mental health and the many ways you can promote, manage or even improve it.
No health insurance?
Get free virtual visits from Curai Health for adult Michigan residents without health insurance.
Already a Priority Health member?
Take advantage of all the mental health benefits included in your plan. Whether you’re seeking treatment or simply searching for more information, we have many support options and free resources that can help.
1 National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. (2009). Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities.