Kona Bear

Biography

Kona is a five-year-old Bordoodle who is in her fourth season with the Indiana Volleyball team. She is a service dog that is trained to spot and treat anxiety, while also being an emotional support animal. Kona began her tenure as a friendly face for all the athletes, staff and Wilkinson Hall visitors before solidifying her role as Director of Athlete Wellness and Happiness. Kona's keen ability to create relationships and bring a sense of calm to the gym and most importantly, the athletes, is what makes her so valuable to the program. In the short two years that she has been here, she has made a lasting impression on anyone who comes into contact with her. The athletes on the team are her best buddies and she always wants to make sure that they are in the most optimal head space to compete at the highest level. Whether it is before a practice or match, where she is playing ball on the court, or after when she is trotting around with a huge smile on her face, it reminds us just how great life is as a Hoosier. The unconditional love and support that she provides to the whole ecosystem is unmatched. In her free time, you can probably find Kona around Wilkinson playing with her own volleyballs. She too is a volleyball player. She loves to eat ice and spends a lot of time in the training room with her favorite support staff member, athletic trainer Amanda Madsen. She loves to be outside, especially when it's colder to feel the wind in her hair. But most of all, she loves the beach