WEST VIRGINIA — First Lady Cathy Justice visited two Friends With Paws therapy dogs at Communities In Schools sites in Grant and Tucker counties on Wednesday, September 11th. Prim, the 30th FWP therapy dog (a female Labrador Retriever) was placed at Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School. Joey, the 31st FWP therapy dog (a male Labradoodle) was placed at Petersburg Elementary School.

“I’m thrilled to be here in Grant and Tucker County on Sep 13th, to celebrate Joey and Prim,” said First Lady Cathy Justice. “Since their placements in June, I’ve heard wonderful things about the incredible impact they’ve made, not only in their schools but throughout the community. Our Friends With Paws therapy dogs are truly world-class, and I know Joey and Prim are just beginning their remarkable journey of making a difference in these communities.”

The Friends With Paws program places certified therapy dogs in several Communities In Schools sites across the state, providing companionship and comfort for students in need of a boost. As of August 2024, 36 Friends With Paws therapy dogs have been placed across the state.

The Friends With Paws therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and support to people in various tense environments. They can help people feel at ease, improve their mood, relieve anxiety, and remove social barriers. Therapy dogs are highly trained and certified to show their ability to work in stressful environments, ignore distractions, and provide therapy to people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

“We are thrilled to have Joey in our school community,” said Principal Dwayne Hedrick at Petersburg Elementary. “This wonderful addition has provided support, reduced stress, and fostered a more inclusive and compassionate environment for our students. Joey has been a tremendous asset in enhancing the well-being and academic success of our students.”

Following the assemblies, students and staff had the chance to have some extra time with Joey and Prim.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Prim in our Davis Thomas family,” said Principal of Davis Thomas Elementary Middle, Cynthia Shaffer. “She has undoubtedly brought joy, comfort, and companionship to our students, staff, and community in these past few months. We are fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful initiative led by First Lady Justice with the "Friends with Paws" program.”

Representatives from Dominion Energy, a proud supporter of the Friends With Paws program, were in attendance during First Lady Cathy Justice’s visit to Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School and Petersburg Elementary School.

Their generous contribution helped sponsor the placement of therapy dogs Joey and Prim, who have already made a tremendous impact on the students and communities in both Grant and Tucker counties. Dominion Energy’s commitment to supporting initiatives like Friends With Paws reflects their dedication to enhancing the well-being of local schools and fostering positive community engagement.

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.
 
In addition, 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.