Trending
CHARLESTON -- Elkins High School will receive a therapy dog presented by Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice as part of the First Lady's Friends With Paws initiative.
The therapy dog coming to EHS is Tora, a female Yellow Labrador. Six other schools will receive therapy dogs as the program expands across the state.
"These therapy dogs will bring friendship, love, and support to their schools," First Lady Justice said. "I look forward to welcoming each one and seeing the amazing work that they do for our students."
"You know me, I'm very in tune with what a dog can bring to all of us," Gov. Justice said. "Babydog has done it, and I know there are a bunch of new therapy dogs that will be doing good stuff, too.
"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 addition of the seven dogs to Friends With Paws will bring the total number of therapy dogs placed in West Virginia through the program to 19.
Throughout the fall, events will be held at each school to officially welcome the new therapy dogs. No date has yet been announced for the EHS presentation, but additional details will be shared at a later date, officials said.
On Tuesday, Gov. Justice and First Lady Justice were scheduled to introduce Ruby, a female Golden Retriever, at Greenbrier East High School in Lewisburg. Ruby is the 13th therapy dog to be placed as part of their Friends With Paws initiative.
First announced in March 2022, the Friends With Paws program places certified therapy dogs in various CIS schools across the state, providing companionship and comfort for students in need of a boost.
The Friends With Paws Program is a partnership between the Governor's Office, West Virginia Communities In Schools Nonprofit, and the West Virginia Department of Education.
Therapy dogs are placed in schools within Communities In Schools 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. The dogs serve as a healthy and friendly outlet for these students to address trauma and other social-emotional issues.
The other five new therapy dogs being placed this fall include:
Malfoy, a male Yellow Labrador, will be placed at Chapmanville Intermediate School in Logan County.
Skye, a female Brown Labradoodle, will be placed at Berkeley Springs High School in Morgan County.
Penny, a female Yellow Labrador, will be placed at Pendleton County Middle-High School in Pendleton County.
Meadow, a female Yellow Labrador, will be placed at Washington Lands Elementary School in Marshall County.
Nutter is a male Chocolate Labrador. His school placement will be announced at a later date.