PERRYSBURG — Aspen, a trained facility dog, has completed her internship at Toth Elementary School and will be officially adopted by Perrysburg Schools and begin her “fur-ever” placement at Toth.

A schoolwide celebration was held April 30 to celebrate Aspen’s accomplishment and be a chance for the school community to recognize Medical Mutual, which has financially sponsored Aspen’s adoption and placement.

Aspen will become the fourth full-time facility dog at Perrysburg Schools, with two additional dogs “in-training” currently. The facility dog program at Perrysburg Schools is made possible in part by private donations and sponsorships to the Perrysburg Schools Foundation, including this most recent partnership with Medical Mutual.

All of the facility dogs placed in the schools have gone through at least a year of specialty training and have the capacity to assist and participate in the school system to help support students via physical, social, cognitive and/or emotional assistance in schools/classrooms as well as in other public settings.

“I have seen firsthand how Aspen has interacted with a student in need of additional support,” shared Justin R. Fults, director of Student Services & Well-Being for Perrysburg Schools. “When a student can relate with a trained animal in this way, maybe give her a hug or read a book to her, I have seen students better able to return to their learning because of that connection. These dogs are one more asset that we have to be able to better serve all learners.”

“The impact of the facility dog program is a powerful one for our students and staff members across the school district and a valuable one,” said Jeff Abke, director of Development for Perrysburg Schools. “It is a significant investment to adopt a facility dog, including their training and onboarding the staff members.”

The Perrysburg Schools Foundation helps fund the Facility Dog Program, including food, equipment, travel expenses and other needs, with the support of many individual and corporate donors. The basic medical services for the dogs have been donated by Perrysburg Animal Hospital and all grooming services are donated by Plontzie’s in Perrysburg.