Meet Baylee, Our Professional School Based Therapy Dog

College Community Schools is excited to introduce you to Prairie Edge’s newest Professional School Based Therapy Dog, Baylee.

Baylee is a two-year-old female standard poodle born in Kansas City, MO and trained through CARES, Inc. All CARES, Inc. (Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services) dogs are carefully selected, trained, and tested. Baylee also spent time at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility where she was trained in basic obedience. From there, she was specially trained by CARES, Inc. trainers.

Baylee’s owners/handlers are Stephanie and Ben Van Hemert. Stephanie is the Principal at Prairie Edge and Ben is a teacher at Prairie High School. Prairie Edge is a K-12 Special School located on the Four Oaks campus that supports students with behavior and mental health needs. Stephanie and Ben spent a week in June training alongside Baylee.

Baylee will spend the majority of her time at Prairie Edge. Part of her week will also include time at Prairie High School. This fall College Community will have six therapy dogs working in our schools.

Prairie Edge and the College Community School District would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Gateway Rotary, Rotary District 5970 and Rotary International who provided the necessary funding for Baylee to join the Prairie family and Team Edge. She is so excited to get to work!