Now at work at Coloma Elementary School is a fully certified therapy dog to help improve the physical and mental well-being of students. Mavis, a smooth collie, started training to be a therapy dog last year when teacher Natalie Contreras approached the principal and superintendent about the idea. Mavis is now certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and at the school two days a week to work with students. Contreras says it’s amazing what a therapy dog can do for the kids. She adds having a therapy dog is something a lot of schools are looking at these days, and maybe more in the area might consider the idea.