We have some exciting news—MPS will be incorporating a therapy dog into our school! We know this may bring questions, so we want to share some background and general information.
Therapy dogs have become increasingly common in schools across North Dakota and beyond. Each school operates its program a little differently, but the goal is the same: to provide additional social, emotional, and academic support for students.
Meet Zoe
Our therapy dog is Zoe, a three-year-old mini-Bernedoodle. She belongs to the Larson family (Chris, Jordaan, Brayden, and especially Hadley!). Zoe is as close to hypoallergenic as a dog can be—she doesn’t shed much, making her a great fit for a school setting. She has a calm, loving temperament and especially enjoys being around kids.
Why a Therapy Dog?
Mrs. Wittich shares:
“Our students are learning to recognize, manage, and regulate their emotions. At times, this can be difficult. Therapy dogs provide valuable support by offering a calming presence. This helps students settle their minds and bodies, making it easier for them to regain control and for adults to guide them in healthy ways.”
Mrs. Weber adds:
“A therapy dog can help provide emotional support, improve mental health, encourage positive behavior, and support social skills development. Zoe can offer comfort to students experiencing stress, anxiety, or sadness, while also promoting kindness, patience, and responsibility.”
Mrs. Weber will serve as Zoe’s primary handler, and Zoe will spend most of her time in her office, assisting with 1-1’s. On days Mrs. Weber is gone, Dr. Larson will be Zoe’s handler.
Training & Certification
To ensure safety and professionalism, we’ve partnered with Pet Partners, a nationally recognized organization that certifies therapy animal teams. On August 28th, Zoe and Dr. Larson passed their official assessment with outstanding marks. This certification, along with coverage through our North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, ensures that MPS is fully supported and insured for this program.
Allergies & Comfort
We understand not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Zoe will never be forced on any student. If your child has allergies, fears, or concerns, we will respect that and make accommodations. Zoe will also be regularly groomed to minimize allergens.
Looking Ahead
You may start to see or hear about Zoe in the building as early as next week! We are excited about the joy, comfort, and support she will bring to our students and staff.
If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Larson or Mrs. Weber.

Home Sweet Homecoming! The week of September 8th is homecoming and here is the week dress up days! Students, staff, and community members please join us in dressing up! GO BULLDOGS!

Today, Mrs. Schutt’s 6/7th Art class studied the works of Keith Haring. After learning about him and his pop art style, students worked to complete their own creations. And… wow! They knocked it out of the park! 🎨🧑‍🎨

Please enjoy our September newsletter and find out what we have been up to the first couple weeks of school!

4th grade tried guavas (a tropical fruit) this morning. They used this experience to use their five senses for descriptive writing.

This year in the high school hallway, Mrs. Weber will be highlighting different staff and community member’s career pathways. This will give students the opportunity to see there are many paths leading to success after high school. First up on display is Mrs. Popp!

I recognize two young ladies from last years graduating class! Way to go!!
Welcome NDSCS first year OTA students! Go Wildcats!