RICHWOOD, WV (WOWK) – The newest Friends With Paws therapy dog is reporting for duty in Nicholas County!

West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice visited Richwood Middle School on Monday, June 24, to introduce Jax to the school. Jax is a Yellow Labrador Retriever whose goal will be to provide comfort and support, improve moods, relieve anxiety and remove social barriers for the school community.

“I am so excited to see Jax put his excellent skills to work here at Richwood Middle. The Friends With Paws therapy dogs are trained extensively to benefit everyone in the school, not only the students,” Justice said. “They can sense anxiety and stress in students and help deter those feelings so that they can focus on their studies rather than what they have going on at home. Jax will fit in just fine here at his new home, I can already tell how loved he will be.”

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“Richwood Middle is grateful to Friends with Paws, Communities In Schools, the Governor and First Lady Justice for bringing Jax into our school,” Principal of Richwood Middle School Gene Collins said. “We can already sense the unconditional love and hope that he is going to bring to our students, staff, and community. Jax will make a great ‘best friend’ for all of our students.”

The Friends with Paws program places therapy dogs in schools within counties where students are in the greatest need of a support animal. The First Lady’s office says 32 certified therapy dogs have been placed in schools across the state since the program’s inception.

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. With these new additions, 28 Friends With Paws therapy dogs have been placed across the state.

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