Watch D.O.G.S. Comes to Park Lodge Elementary in Lakewood

One of the first things students say when they see Rob Pangaro is, "What's up, Dog?"

He’s easy to spot. Pangaro and a handful of other fathers wear white T-shirts with the whimsical cartoon dog logo of Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). New at Park Lodge, Watch D.O.G.S. is a program under the National Center for Fathering geared toward engaging men, inspiring children, reducing bullying and enhancing the educational environment at schools.

There are 2,276 active programs in 41 states participating in the Watch D.O.G.S. program, according to its website. If you're a father, grandfather, stepfather or uncle and want to help youths in the Lakewood community, here's your chance.

Pangaro, who has a child attending Park Lodge, said his PTA group voted to fund the program, allowing it to take flight. Each member of Watch D.O.G.S. wears a shirt and badge that lets students know who they are.

"There are a lot of kids that don't have male role models," Pangaro said.

Thirty percent of Park Lodge's students come from military families, and that rises to more than 40 percent for the Clover Park School District as a whole. With parents deployed throughout parts of the year, their school can sometimes be the only constant in their lives.

Pangaro believes this program is especially important in Lakewood.

While there are only about eight men involved at Park Lodge, the program has spread to other district schools like , Oakwood and elementary schools

Paul Nimmo, whose second-grader, Ethan, attends Park Lodge, said Watch D.O.G.S. removes the stigma of fathers not being active in their schools or PTS organizations.

"This is a dad-only thing," Nimmo said.

Nimmo likes to be visible and help during recess, lunch and assemblies. He wore his Watch D.O.G.S. shirt during the Martin Luther King. Jr. event at the school earlier this week.

"When they see this shirt they know we're here for them," he said.

If you would like to start up a Watch D.O.G.S. program in your elementary school contact your principal and click this link on how to get started.