New therapy dogs being added to 2 north central West Virginia schools

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — Six more therapy dogs are being added to West Virginia schools, including two in north central West Virginia.

In a press release on Wednesday, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice announced the 2024 winter class of the Friends with Paws program, which places therapy dogs in areas of West Virginia disproportionately affected by poverty, substance misuse, or other at-risk situations.

The six new dogs will be added to schools in West Virginia starting Feb. 28.

Locally, Eli, a male Golden Retriever, will be joining Nutter Fort Primary School in Harrison County in April, and Prim, a female black Labrador Retriever, will be joining Davis-Thomas Elementary/Middle School in Tucker County in June.

Brooke Middle School in Brooke County, Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County, Lewisburg Elementary School in Greenbrier County and Sherman High School in Boone County will also be getting new therapy dogs between the end of February and end of March.

Other north central West Virginia Friends with Paws who have already been working in school are Foster at Buckhannon Academy Elementary in Upshur County, Jasper at Lewis County High School in Lewis County and Tora at Elkins High School in Randolph County. Nearby Pocahontas County also has a therapy dog, Kasha at Green Bank Elementary School.

Get to know the other new dogs being added around the state below or see all the current Friends with Paws therapy dogs on the Communities in Schools website .

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