Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Wallace Elementary introduces facility dog Rami to support students' social-emotional needs
Summary
Wallace Elementary and United Disability Services introduced Rami, a facility dog placed to help students with transitions and emotional regulation. The district said UDS retains ownership, the district covers $5,000 of acquisition costs, handlers will be evaluated, and protocols address allergies and opt-outs.
Jonathan, the main handler and school staff member who introduced Rami, told the West York Area School District board that “the primary goal of a facility dog is ultimately to reduce any mental health concerns.” Rami, a yellow Labrador born in 2024, spent months in UDS training and intermediate homes before arriving at Wallace Elementary. Jonathan said Rami “knows over 80 commands” and already helped a student with a difficult transition during his first days on site.
The district described the ownership and oversight arrangement: United Disability Services (UDS) retains ownership of Rami during his working life and conducts a 30-day evaluation and an annual review; the handler…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
