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Rusty the poodle, a 13-week-old therapy dog, continues his training at Coldwater Exempted Village Schools on Friday.
COLDWATER - Although he's only been a part of Coldwater Local Schools' staff for three weeks, Rusty is already one of the most popular employees among students.
Aside from his charm and friendly demeanor, the 13-week-old therapy dog's soft fur coat and calming presence has made him a welcome addition, superintendent Doug Mader said.
Rusty was donated to the school district by K9to5 Doggy Daycare of St. Marys through the Anything is Pawsable Program. It trains dogs, starting as puppies, to be assistance dogs. The dogs are then donated to recipients in surrounding communities, free of charge.
Rusty will be tasked with putting students at ease and assisting them when they feel distressed, anxious or depressed, Mader said.
"Research has shown pets put students at ease and they have a calming feature for students," he said. "And we've seen the difference in just the couple days he's been in school."
Rusty the poodle, a 13-week-old therapy dog, continues his training at Coldwater Exempted Village Schools on Friday.
Mader is Rusty's primary caretaker, bringing the poodle puppy to school with him once a week on Fridays. Rusty has his own calendar, Mader said, where teachers can sign up to "reserve" the pup for 15-30 minutes in their classrooms. Transition students escort Rusty in between classes, he said.
Once he's completed another six to eight months of training, Rusty will be employed at the school full-time, Mader said. Rusty will be in classrooms three days a week. Two days out of the week the dog will be stationed in a designated area for students to visit him.
While Rusty trains, staffers at K9to5 Doggy Daycare look after the pup and train him Monday through Thursday. Mader picks him up on Thursday afternoons and keeps Rusty through the weekend before returning him to K9to5 on Monday mornings. He's also brought the pup to basketball games.
One of the techniques Rusty is learning is deep pressure therapy, according to Sandy Gerdeman, owner of K9to5 Doggy Daycare. Deep pressure therapy provides tactile stimulation through gentle pressure to the body, such as laying across the person's lap and pawing at the individual, she said.
The therapy has a calming effect that can make the recipient feel calm and peaceful, she said, relieving feelings of anxiety, pain or post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Having a dog in school has to be one of the most exciting aspects an administration can being to kids," Gerdeman said. "It changes the lives of so many people."
Coldwater students swarm Rusty the therapy dog during lunch on Friday.
Mader said he was grateful for K9to5 for making the arrangement possible. Gerdeman said she believes Rusty was made for service work - and meant for Mader.
"Rusty really stood out to us as one of the most soft-hearted individuals," she said. "Doug and Rusty were meant for each other. It warms my heart."
Mader said Rusty could visit students at Tri Star and eventually be able to visit residents at nursing homes.
"Our Coldwater community is so phenomenal, and the community has embraced him… They always say it takes a village, and with this dog it really does," he said. "It's an absolute honor to be his caretaker, and I think he'll be such an asset to the students and staff."
