Students, faculty, and staff at Pana Junior High School have a new canine companion.  Kevin, the school’s “comfort dog,” belongs to counselor Bonnie Sowarsh.  She has brought him in for the past five years on a more limited basis with permission from administrators, but only now is the dog formally certified to be present. 

Now, Kevin comes in typically all but one day of the week.  He is present when students enter in the morning and throughout the day.

Sowarsh says Kevin’s presence in the school is yet to cause any problems, and she takes extra steps to ensure this remains the case. 

Kevin is certified through the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program, which is one of the few options within a reasonable distance from Pana.  After that, school and district administrators were quite receptive to his arrival. 

Sowarsh has taken Kevin to other school districts, which has inspired some of them to consider a similar endeavor at their schools. 

More information on the American Kennel Club and their certification programs is available at www.akc.org.  More information on Pana Junior High School is available at www.panaschools.com.

Bonnie Sowarsh appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.  Kevin was absent due to a grooming appointment.