Therapy Dog Coming to Washington Lands Elementary
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This November, Washington Lands Elementary School will be adding a furry new employee to its ranks.
The school has been chosen to receive a therapy dog from West Virginia first lady Cathy Justice's Friends With Paws program.
The school will be receiving Meadow, a yellow labrador retriever.
"According to the governor's office, the dog isn't scheduled to arrive in the county until the first week of November and a teacher, Brianna Cecil, will be the primary handler," said Tony Wood, communications coordinator for Marshall County Schools.
"At the time of arrival, a training will take place before Meadow is released to Mrs. Cecil."
Meadow will be the first Friends With Paws therapy dog for a Northern Panhandle school district.
According to information from the governor's office, Meadow will be among seven dogs being added to the program this year. With the addition of the seven dogs there will be 19 total in the program.
"These therapy dogs will bring friendship, love, and support to their schools," First Lady Cathy Justice said. "I look forward to welcoming each one and seeing the amazing work that they do for our students."
Gov. Jim Justice said he is "very in tune with what a dog can bring to all of us."
"Babydog has done it, and I know there are a bunch of new therapy dogs that will be doing good stuff, too," he said.
"I am so excited to see how these dogs will positively impact students around our state. We are going to continue helping our students and communities by providing them with the resources they need to succeed."
The purpose of the program is to place certified therapy dogs in schools across the state to provide "companionship and comfort for students in need of a boost."
The program, which started in March 2022, is a partnership between the governor's office, the West Virginia Communities In Schools nonprofit, and the West Virginia Department of Education.
"Therapy dogs are placed in schools within CIS counties where students are disproportionately affected by poverty, substance misuse, or other at-risk situations, and are in the greatest need of a support animal," according to governor's office information.
"The dogs serve as a healthy and friendly outlet for these students to address trauma and other social-emotional issues."