Representatives of First Lady Cathy Justice recently visited Gilmer County Elementary School to celebrate the arrival of Boaz, the state’s newest therapy dog through the Friends With Paws program. Boaz is a male Yellow Labrador Retriever.
“I am so excited to add another addition to our Friends With Paws family,” First Lady Cathy Justice said. She expressed regret for not attending the event but conveyed her confidence in Boaz making a positive impact at Gilmer County Elementary. “Hearing about all of the excitement, love and smiles that were displayed today warmed my heart. It has truly been an honor seeing what our therapy dogs are capable of and how they will impact lives for the better.”
The Friends With Paws program places certified therapy dogs in schools across West Virginia to provide companionship and comfort for students needing emotional support. Thirty-six Friends With Paws therapy dogs have been placed throughout the state, including Boaz.
Therapy dogs like Boaz are specially trained to offer comfort and support, helping to ease stress, improve mood, relieve anxiety, and remove social barriers. These dogs are highly trained and certified to function in stressful environments and provide therapy to people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
After the assembly, students and staff had the opportunity to greet Boaz. Principal Tyson Price highlighted the importance of this initiative for Gilmer County Elementary School.
“With this initiative, we will be better equipped to meet the emotional needs of our students by implementing Bo the therapy dog as a support,” Price said. “We are honored and appreciative to bring Bo to our school and look forward to experiencing the positive impact he will have on our students.”
Friends With Paws is a collaboration between the Governor’s Office, West Virginia Communities In Schools (CIS) Nonprofit, and the West Virginia Department of Education. The program targets schools in CIS counties where students face significant challenges like poverty and substance misuse, providing these students with a support animal for addressing trauma and social-emotional issues.
For more information on Friends With Paws, you can view the full list of therapy dogs here. Additionally, Communities In Schools: Friends With Paws, a documentary by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, offers further insight into the program. Click HERE to view the documentary.
A 2019 study by the National Institute of Health found that a dog’s presence in the classroom promotes a positive mood and provides significant anti-stress effects. Research indicates that petting animals can trigger a relaxation response, lower anxiety, and help people feel more at ease. Therapy animals have also been shown to reduce loneliness, increase mental stimulation, and offer various physical health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving cardiovascular health.
