A-P seventh graders present therapy dog proposal

A large group of Aplington-Parkersburg seventh graders gave a presentation on the benefits of a therapy dog during Monday night’s regular school board meeting.

Some of the positives they highlighted included learning animal hygiene, teaching responsibility to staff, reinforcing behavior modification and enriching the school culture.

A-P middle school principal Brian Buseman admitted that he’s evolved on the issue, and while he himself isn’t someone who needs a pet, he can see where students would.

“I think I’ve come a long ways down that road,” he said. “I have to take my bias out of it, put it on the backburner and realize that it isn’t about me. Different people have different needs.”

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