Connection Through Cocoa
At Union Elementary in Zionsville, Indiana, there’s a very special staff member who makes each day just a little brighter.
Her name is Cocoa, a yellow Labrador trained as a facility service dog through the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN).
To Principal Erin Kay and the entire school community, Cocoa serves as a non-judgmental listener, a calming presence, a reading buddy, and a bridge between students and staff.
“Cocoa is not just part of our building. She’s part of our school’s identity,” Erin said.
ICAN Cocoa and her handler Erin Kay.
Like any dedicated staff member, Cocoa has her daily routine. She starts each school day by finding her favorite ball, a chew bone, and a comfy place to rest before the students arrive.
But once the day begins, Cocoa’s real work starts—and it’s truly something special.
Cocoa has the unique ability to sense where she’s needed most. Whether she quietly sits next to a student learning to read, curls up with a child who’s struggling, or simply rests her head on someone’s lap, she brings a sense of calm that can’t be taught.
“Cocoa always shows up for the students with patience, empathy, and unconditional love. She’s the perfect dog,” Erin said.
Cocoa’s yearbook photo.
Cocoa is featured in every classroom composite photo, the staff page of the yearbook, and even has her own mailbox in the school’s Union Express Mail system, where students write letters asking about her favorite treats and what she does at home.
“Writing is one of the most cognitively demanding tasks our students tackle,” Erin explained. “For some of them, Cocoa is the reason they even begin. She opens a door that not every child is ready to walk through alone.”
Cocoa’s presence also represents the lengths educators are willing to go to connect with their students.
“Educators are endlessly resourceful, wildly passionate, and deeply committed to helping every child feel seen, supported, and safe,” Erin shared. “Cocoa may have four paws and a wagging tail, but her work is rooted in the same mission that drives every teacher and staff member in this building.”
Cocoa’s mailbox.
Thanks to the generosity of ICAN’s volunteers, donors, and supporters, Cocoa has helped create a more connected and compassionate school environment. Her presence has impacted hundreds of lives so far.
As one student recently wrote, “Cocoa is the best dog ever. Before Cocoa, I was afraid of dogs. Now I know that not all dogs are mean. She lays next to me as I read, and we are friends. She makes my heart happy.”
That’s the power of Cocoa—and the power of connection.
Cocoa helping a student.
You too can be part of that connection.
Your support helps ICAN train and place more service dogs like Cocoa in schools and communities that need them most.
As Erin put it, “Together, we can help ICAN continue creating partnerships that change lives—one perfect dog at a time.”
