Or, rather, the dog.

Her name is Lady. She’s a year and a half old goldendoodle who loves treats, belly rubs, and sniffing things. She’s currently working on getting acclimated for her new job as the district’s therapy dog.

Lady will be living with Allison Davis, the district’s business manager.

“We’re getting to know her before going into the buildings,” Davis said. “Eventually, there will be a handler in each building that will be able to take her.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Lady, the new Manson Northwest Webster therapy dog, gets some nice scritchies under her chin from her human, district Business Manager Allison Davis. Lady is in the process of getting acclimated to the various schools and will soon be joining Davis on visits.

That role will be fulfilled by each school’s principal.

Lady was trained at Knallhart Kennels and Training Academy in Iowa City. She was recently brought to several school assemblies and introduced to the students and staff.

Davis said Lady’s job is to help the students cope.

“She can help with anxiety or if somebody is having a bad day, or a good day,” she said. “She’s very sweet, very caring. She loves people. She always likes to have her paw on you or her head resting on you.”

Elementary school Principal Bret Larson is happy to see Lady join the district.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Lily Daggett, 6, of Manson, gets a paw shake greeting from Lady as they get to know each other Wednesday at the Manson Northwest Webster district offices in Manson.

“We are thrilled to add Lady to our elementary building,” he said. “We work hard here to meet the needs of students socially, academically and emotionally. Lady will be one more piece to that puzzle to create a positive school experience for all students.”

Kevin Wood, junior and senior high principal, is also glad to have Lady available for his students.

“MNW schools are excited to bring on another team member, Lady,” he said. “We have seen the impact Lady has had in her early stages here at MNW and I cannot wait to get her into the building more frequently.”

Lady will meet the students when she’s in a building in one of several ways.

“She’ll greet students in the hall,” Davis said. “Lady will also come to the classroom and go desk to desk or if a kid is having a really bad day, they can ask to have one to one time with Lady.”

-Submitted photo Manson Northwest Webster students Nora Nelson, at left, Jerrod Waller and Brinley Lenz get to meet Lady with her primary trainer Chelsey Montgomery.

Lady has been living with Davis since Thanksgiving.

As they bond and get to know each other, Davis has discovered that Lady is not a picky treat consumer.

“She likes the chicken flavored treats,” she said. “Although she’s not opposed to salmon. I haven’t found one she doesn’t like.”

Lady wears a special therapy dog vest with her name on it.

Once she’s home, the vest comes off and she’s off duty.

“She’s just a regular dog then,” Davis said. “She likes playing.”

The project to get Lady into the school district was coordinated by Manson Police Chief Jerry Frick. Dr. Steve Leppertof with the Manson Veterinary Clinic will see to her health and Nestle Purina Pet Care will provide her food until she retires.

Davis often has to remind people that Lady is in fact a working therapy dog. There are good manners for the students and staff to observe, she said.

“If you see Lady,” she said. “Feel free to ask if you can pet her. Just ask first.”

Usually, those who ask will be able to and please remember, Lady really likes scritchies under her chin.