An East Noble School Corp. teacher is used to being an afterthought when he encounters students with facility dog Didi at his side.

Everyone greets Didi before Ryan Pepple, who teaches adaptive physical education, a news release said.

“About 10 seconds later, they say, ‘Oh, hi, Mr. Pepple,’ ” he said in a statement.

Facility dogs are trained to perform service dog commands. That includes picking up items, opening doors and providing calming pressure across someone’s lap or body, according to Canine Companions, the national nonprofit that provided Didi to East Noble for free.

Didi was trained in more than 45 skills. At East Noble, she is encouraging students of all abilities to be physically active, the release said.

Pepple teaches kindergartners through 12th graders, the release said,

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