Hello Centerville-Abington Elementary School faculty, students, and parents,

My name is Truman, and I am a facility dog at Centerville-Abington Elementary School.   I was born April 12, 2015, and had training for two years with Indiana Canine Assistance Network (ICAN).  While I was being trained, Mrs. Tedder, a fifth grade teacher at your school, applied to have a facility dog for her classroom.  I found out she would be my lifelong mom and work partner at school.  We have already created quite the bond, and I follow her everywhere.  I am so happy about this journey, because I just love people, and I get to be around my favorite people every single day.  I am great at following commands, and I even learned new commands to help others while I am at school.  I love to retrieve things for people, especially tennis balls (for fun).  I am an excellent listener, and I will rest my head on your leg and let you pet me if you need a friend.  It is also noteworthy to report that in order to do my job I have to have excellent manners and a calm, friendly temperament.  In addition, I am in excellent health and fully socialized.  

You may be wondering why I am working in the school.  Well, when a facility dog is involved, people, especially children, often respond more positively and enthusiastically.  I can help students learn empathy, sharing, and patience.  In some instances, I am able to help calm a person simply by letting them pet me or by applying some light pressure to them.  The staff at Centerville Elementary is awesome, but sometimes kids feel more at ease talking about upsetting situations when I am around.  I can make difficult tasks seem more attractive, interesting, and enjoyable when I am there to assist.  Sometimes my job is to just be present and make people feel happy.

I am located in room 154.  You may see me in the hallways or in other classrooms.  It is important to note that you should ask to pet me.  Mrs. Tedder will ask me to sit, and then I am available for petting (I LOVE human interaction).  

Please do not give me commands unless Mrs. Tedder tells you it is okay.  I have to follow her rules, and if other people give commands or randomly pet me, I might get confused and become a distraction.  This is the best adventure ever, and I am so excited to use my gifts to help the people at Centerville-Abington Elementary.

Thank you for accepting me as part of the Bulldog family,

Truman