Summit County Council voted to declare September 2025 as Service Dog Awareness Month, recognizing the roles of service dogs, facility dogs and therapy animals across the county.

County Prosecutor Elliot Popovich briefed council on the prosecutor’s office facility‑dog program and introduced staff and several dogs during the meeting. Popovich said the office’s first facility dog, “Avery II,” was introduced in August 2013 and that the office’s program supports victims, witnesses and first responders. He told council the dogs “provide animal services throughout the county” and serve in court, victim interviews and community outreach.

Why it matters: Popovich framed facility dogs as tools that “make the world safer and more accessible for disabled persons, company medical patients or victims and witnesses,” and that they also help first responders manage stress.

Details from the presentation: Popovich said Avery II retired last October and passed away earlier this year; he introduced a current employee dog, Adam Slevin, and noted other county and partner agency dogs (including Archie from Summit County Emergency Communications) attend events and support victims. He described the office dog as both an operational support and a community ambassador.

Action: Council adopted the proclamation under emergency to formally recognize the county’s service‑dog programs.

No fiscal appropriation was attached to the proclamation. Popovich and staff encouraged continued public familiarity with and support for service‑animal programs.