NEW ARRIVAL — Pupils and workers at Brooke Middle School Wednesday greeted Clara, a 9-month-old golden shepherd who will function a remedy canine on the faculty by means of the Friends with Paws program supported by the workplace of Gov. Jim Justice, West Virginia Communities in Schools and the West Virginia Department of Education. Clara’s coach, Jil Mazellan of Ultimate Canine of Westfield, Ind., launched the canine at a faculty meeting. — Warren Scott
WELLSBURG — Youth at Brooke Middle School can have a four-legged buddy to assist consolation them when they’re troubled or just greet them once they arrive at college.
Clara, a 9-month-old golden shepherd, was launched as the college’s first remedy canine at an meeting Wednesday attended by pupils, workers and leaders of the college district.
Superintendent of Schools Jeff Crook expressed because of Gov. Jim Justice and his spouse, Cathy, for initiating the Friends with Paws program, which has placed educated remedy dogs in many faculties with help from the West Virginia Department of Education and West Virginia Communities in Schools program.
Crook stated whereas the college district is targeted on offering its college students with instructional alternatives, he is aware of the youth have social and emotional wants as effectively.
“This is for you, to help you,” he instructed the scholars earlier than welcoming Clara as the college’s latest workers member.
Clara’s coach — Jil Mazellan of Ultimate Canine of Westfield, Ind. — famous the grins exhibited by lots of the pupils upon the entry of Clara and Parker, one other golden shepherd and remedy canine certain for Wheeling Park High School, to the college’s gymnasium.
Mazellan stated the looks of a canine typically lifts the spirits of individuals, however she stated a canine’s presence will help to calm them, making it simpler for these with troubles to specific themselves to a trusted grownup.
Jennifer Schiffbauer-Sisinni, the college’s principal, famous Clara interacted effectively with pupils within the faculty’s particular schooling program and had already met with just a few pupils who got here to the steering division for assist.
“I think it really will have an impact on them,” she stated of the addition.
Guidance counselors Theresa Williams and Chelsey Barnhart have been coaching since Monday to work with the canine with Mazzellan and fellow coach Jolene Rashley, each of Ultimate Canine.
Owned by Julie Case, the canine coaching academy has ready golden and labrador retrievers and labradoodles to function remedy dogs for the statewide program.
Mazzellan stated golden retrievers are good candidates for remedy dogs as a result of they’re energetic and calm.
But she added every canine is evaluated at 8 weeks old by means of a 200-point check to find out if it has the correct temperament to function a remedy canine.
Williams stated she volunteered to take care of Clara at home and was chosen as a result of she has no different pets whose conduct may battle with Clara’s coaching.
“I’ve had a dog most of my life,” stated Williams, who added enjoying a job in the usage of a remedy canine has been a long-time purpose.
“I’ve wanted to do this for years and years,” she stated.
Natalie Koziara, the college’s Communities in Schools coordinator, expressed because of the Brooke Hills Animal Hospital, which has provided free drugs for fleas, ticks and heartworms and a reduction on remedies; and Follansbee pet groomer Lexy’s Ruff Cuts, which has provided free providers.
Schiffbauer-Sisinni stated there are plans to carry fundraisers for supplies for Clara and her yearly recertification as a remedy canine and the college welcomes the neighborhood’s help.
Assistant Principal Karen Stuck stated there are plans to promote a calendar that includes photographs of Clara, and business sponsors serious about buying adverts in it are wanted.
Koziara stated the remedy canine is a pure extension of the Communities in Schools program, which has offered meals, clothes and school-related supplies, from band devices to trace sneakers, to college students in monetary want.
She stated an enormous focus of this system is making certain college students attend faculty and the presence of a furry, pleasant face ought to do a lot to encourage that.
