Representatives of First Lady Cathy Justice visited Gilmer County Elementary School for an assembly to celebrate the arrival of the state’s newest therapy dog through the Friends With Paws program.
The dog introduced at the event is a male Yellow Labrador Retriever named Boaz.
“I am so excited to add another addition to our Friends With Paws family,” First Lady Cathy Justice said. “I am saddened that I was unable to attend the event today but I know that Boaz will be an exceptional addition to the Gilmer County Elementary School community. 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 several schools across the state, providing companionship and comfort for students in need of a boost. A total of 36 Friends With Paws therapy dogs, including Boaz, have been placed throughout the state.
Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and support to people in various tense environments. They help people feel at ease, improve their mood, relieve anxiety, and remove social barriers. Therapy dogs are highly trained and certified to work in stressful environments, ignore distractions, and provide therapy to people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
Following the assembly, students and staff had the chance to greet Boaz.
“Gilmer County Elementary School’s mission is to meet the needs of the whole child,” Principal Tyson Price said. “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. 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.”
The Friends With Paws program is a partnership between the Governor’s Office, West Virginia Communities In Schools (CIS) 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. The dogs serve as a healthy and friendly outlet for these students to address trauma and other social-emotional issues.
Click here to view full list of Friends With Paws therapy dogs
More information about Friends With Paws can be found in Communities In Schools: Friends With Paws, a documentary produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Click HERE to view the documentary.
A 2019 study published 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 on the body.
Research shows that the simple act of petting animals releases an automatic relaxation response. Therapy animals lower anxiety and help people relax, provide comfort, reduce loneliness, and increase mental stimulation. They are also shown to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, reduce the number of medications some people need, help control breathing in those with anxiety, and diminish overall physical pain, among other profound benefits.
