MONTROSE -- There's a new teacher's aide walking through the halls at Lathrop Elementary School in Montrose. He just happens to be a 2-year-old Lab named Hingst.
"Tell me a little bit about this guy. I love him," one student said.
The pup was free of charge thanks to the non-profit organization Canine Companions for Independence.
Montrose Area sent Kelly Jo-Riker to train with Hingst in New York before bringing him back to the school district.
He knows more than 50 commands and uses his skills mostly with special needs students.
"Whether it's helping teach social skills class or maybe he's comforting students. Maybe reluctant readers will read to him because he's not going to correct them or them them they're not a good reader," director of special education, Kelly Jo-Riker said.
Hingst isn't just popular with the kids. The teachers say he's a big help.
"It's just another tool that we have beyond all the other tools that we have in the classroom. You know it gives them an experience that they otherwise wouldn't have," Cortney Hoffa said.
Hingst arrived in February and school psychologist Edward Falkowski says this little guy has far exceeded his expectations.
"It's helped do social skills. It's helped me establish rapport when I'm working with the students. It's an overall good feeling throughout the school," Falkowski said.
Hingst will continue to help kids in the classroom at Montrose Area School District for the next five to six years.
After that he will go into retirement.
