The future of Coral, a therapy dog at the Mid-Prairie School District, is up to the school board. At their most recent meeting the Mid-Prairie School Board discussed the future of the therapy dog that was serving at the district’s elementary schools. Coral’s handler is Kalona and Washington Township Elementary principal Teresa Beenblossom. Beenblossom has accepted a position with the Washington Community School District that will begin with the start of the 2016-17 school year.

In her work with the dog, Beenblossom has undergone training, become attached to the dog and the dog has also become attached to her.

Mid-Prairie Superintendent Mark Schneider discussed school policy as it pertains to property and how this situation is different, saying that the dog was purchased with tax payer funds, making it school district property and the district requires reimbursement for the property. Because the school district policy does not directly apply to a therapy dog scenario, the school board decided on two buyout conditions. Beenblossom can retain possession of the dog if she pays the entire cost of replacement, including current cost of an animal and training. Cost is estimated to be near $3,100. Beenblossom must also do so before fall.