The proposed expansion of the program stems from the success of Charlie, Adrian High School’s safety and support dog, who partners with Adrian Police Officer Josh Perry
Marching band member with POTS teams up with a four-legged support dog
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, Winnie the golden retriever service dog supports her owner Gabi, who has POTS, as they march together in the UNI Panther Marching Band.
- The Adrian Public Schools Board of Education is considering expanding its School Resource Dog Program by adding five more dogs.
- The dogs will be trained in basic obedience and weapons/odor detection and will be placed in all school buildings.
- The district aims to implement the program fully by fall 2025 if approved.
ADRIAN — The Adrian Public Schools Board of Education conducted its first review of bids for basic obedience and weapons detection training for five additional school resource dogs during Monday’s school board meeting, Feb. 24.
Per the proposal, the district is considering an expansion of its School Resource Dog Program by bringing five additional school resource dogs into all school buildings on the APS campus. If approved by the board — with any kind of action scheduled to take place at the school board’s first of two March meetings — the additional dogs will allow for a school resource dog to be present at all four elementary schools, Springbrook Middle School and Adrian High School.
Each dog will require extensive training in basic obedience and weapons/odor detection, according to an executive summary from the Adrian school board’s meeting packet.
The proposed expansion of the program stems from the success of Charlie, Adrian High School’s safety and support dog, who partners with Adrian Police Officer Josh Perry, who also is Adrian Public Schools’ SRO (school resource officer).
Charlie is a copper-colored goldendoodle and works regularly with Perry, a dog trainer who has been the Adrian Police Department’s K9 officer for years, going back to when the department got its first patrol dog in 2007. Charlie is trained to detect weapons, particularly guns and ammunition, and explosives.
Perry’s Dog Training Services is among two of the vendors of dog obedience and weapons detection training services that provided written quotes to the school board. Robin Ford Dog Training, Delta, Ohio, also submitted a quote for service.
Perry’s Dog Training Services
- $40,005 total initial training costs, which includes $34,290 for initial training for five dogs and $5,715 initial training for five dog handlers.
- The annual ongoing training costs for dogs and handlers would be $9,906.
Robin Ford Dog Training
- $41,250 total initial training costs, which includes $36,000 initial training for five dogs and $5,250 initial training for five dog handlers.
- The annual ongoing training costs for dogs and handlers would be $14,300.
All training costs will be paid from the district’s per-pupil mental health grant funds.
“We’ve seen firsthand how Charlie, our current support and safety dog at Adrian High School, has positively impacted students,” Adrian schools Superintendent Nate Parker said in a news release. “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing not only emotional support but also a safe learning environment for all of our students.”
Each resource dog will undergo official, comprehensive training to serve both as an emotional support dog and a safety asset, including weapons detection. Every dog will have a designated handler — a trained staff member who will receive ongoing professional development to ensure the dog’s effective integration into the school community. Handlers will work closely with trainers to uphold the highest standards of care, safety and student support.
If approved by Adrian’s Board of Education, the dogs and their handlers will undergo formal training over the summer, with full implementation planned for the fall 2025. In the coming months, students may see the new resource dogs in school buildings as they begin acclimating to their surroundings, the district said.
“Having a resource dog in our school will provide an additional layer of support for our students, both emotionally and in terms of safety,” Michener Elementary School Principal Ann Lacasse said. “This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a welcoming and secure environment where all students can thrive.”
The district asks parents to contact their building principal if they have concerns regarding allergies or their child’s comfort level with dogs.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman.
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