Kara Troyer and Monroe; photo by Joe Cerwinske

Mid-Prairie’s new therapy dog, Monroe; photo by Joe Cerwinske

When former Kalona Elementary principal Teresa Beenblossom took a position at Lincoln Elementary in Washington, she took Coral, the therapy dog she was handler for, with her. Over the summer, the Mid-Prairie School District sent kindergarten teacher Kara Troyer to Concordia, Kansas to meet with the staff of Cares, Incorporated. It was there Troyer was introduced to Monroe, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, who would become the new therapy dog for Kalona and Washington Township Elementaries. The two began a week of intensive training in the therapy dog program.

Troyer said Monroe is older than most dogs in the program, because he had a prior career as a service dog. However, he didn’t fit the needs of the individual, and was eventually given back to Cares. According to Troyer, he does all kinds of different things at the school, which range from simply being a presence in the classroom to providing emotional support for students. Since school began, he’s helped students at both elementaries, which Troyer attributes to his calm demeanor. Troyer said the children have taken to Monroe immediately, and she’s looking forward to seeing how he helps them moving forward.