The North Royalton City Schools (NRCS) and the City of North Royalton have entered into a memorandum of understanding, accepting an addendum regarding the School Resource Officers, permitting the use of a therapy dog. The North Royalton City Council unanimously adopted legislation at its June 6 meeting that authorizes the Mayor to enter into the agreement.
In February, North Royalton Police Department School Resource Officer (SRO), Alexandra Jezior addressed City Council, formally requesting to start a K9 Therapy Program through the North Royalton Police Department to be used in North Royalton Schools. Jezior said the program would be utilized primarily at the North Royalton City Schools, St. Albert the Great School and Royal Redeemer School. It could also be used to aid the victims of crime and for community engagement. It would be an addition to the police department’s current K-9 program, which was reinstated in the spring of 2019. “Unlike the typical police K9, this dog would serve a therapeutic purpose,” said Jezior. “Therapy dogs, also known as comfort dogs, act to support a person’s mental health and emotional well-being. According to various sources and studies, therapy dogs can improve mental health in those who suffer with a variety of mental health and behavioral issues, such as depression, anxiety, Autism, ADHD, and PTSD.”
Historically, therapy dogs have been used by the medical community for therapeutic patients. Recently, however, the practice has been expanded into school districts. Brunswick and Brecksville-Broadview Heights School Districts have been utilizing such a program. Jezior stated that she has encountered numerous children in her role as SRO who are suffering from significant mental health issues. “There are children in the schools who have been victims of crime (domestic abuse, sexual assault, neglect, etc.) and are thus struggling mentally, emotionally, physically, and academically. Many students have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Some are emotionally disturbed or have other diagnoses,” she said. Jezior said she asserts that the implementation of this program may bring about some improvement to the overall mental health of students, such as those having panic attacks and emotional outbursts, potentially reducing the times that students become hostile with staff, causing them to be restrained. “By reducing those instances, we would be increasing overall student and staff safety,” said Jezior.
The funding of this program would be less than the traditional K-9 program, said Jezior, due to the fact that it requires significantly less equipment and costs. She said that there would be no cost for the dog, as the Franklin County Animal Shelter will provide the dog, a rescue, at no cost. After the dog is selected, it would then reside with Jezior and accompany her wherever she goes. Training would be provided by the Franklin County Sherif’s Office at no charge during normal duty hours. The therapy dog would be insured through the same insurance that Bear, North Royalton Police Department’s K-9 dog, is covered, for liability purposes. The cost of maintenance, food and health care would be donated, as is done for Bear. The ordinance that has been adopted states that “ the costs of the therapy dog and SRO officer pay as related to the therapy dog shall be equally shared between the District and the City.”
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz stated that “I guess anything we can do to continue to help in today’s world is a positive. I know that we are seeing more and more of these types of approaches to try to help our children. So, overall, I think it’s been tried in other places and seems to be successful.”
“I am extremely excited about the dog,” said North Royalton School Superintendent, Mike Laub. “The places that have it in place, they absolutely love them. It’s another opportunity to connect with our students in a special way. It’s a great program and I’m thankful to Lexi to take on the therapy dog. and to the city. Also, thank you to Lions Club, who have decided to support the program monetarily, such as dog bowls and items that the dog needs.”
According to North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase, Jezior will be contacting the Franklin County Animal Shelter to find a suitable dog. Once a dog has been chosen, she will be notified to go and meet with the dog. If the dog is a good match, she will then proceed to the training stage.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer