As written by Ainsley Hall and published in The Journal on October 22, 2024
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — On Tuesday, Jefferson High School put together a special event to welcome a new member to the school community — Comet, the therapy dog.
Through Communities In Schools’ Friends with Paws program, Comet will help promote social and emotional wellness throughout the school.
Communities In Schools is a program designed to support students and create a better school climate, so everyone enjoys coming to school and being a part of the community. It began in 2017 when First Lady Cathy Justice made it her primary initiative and has since worked to meet the basic needs of students throughout West Virginia.
Friends With Paws is a program started by Communities In Schools that trains and connects school therapy dogs with students. After applying for the program, Jefferson High School was able to officially welcome its first school therapy dog.
“We thought it would be a great way to provide additional support for our students,” said Stacy Earl, Communities In School site facilitator and one of Comet’s handlers. “We hope Comet will help improve the climate and bring students together.”
Comet started his training in Indiana when he was 18 months old. He was taught how to do basic commands, such as sit, heel, lie down and even give students knuckles. He was also trained to work in stressful environments, such as big crowds and loud noises, and not get distracted or overwhelmed. However, his main job is to brighten students’ days by decreasing stress and making kids smile.
Marcia Hamrick, school counselor at Jefferson High School, will be Comet’s main handler. Throughout the week, Comet will rotate to other handlers, including Earl, Cari Jubb, and sometimes Principal Mary Beth Group, depending on the students’ needs. Then, in the evenings, Comet will go home with Hamrick.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how Comet bonds with the students,” Hamrick said. “Seeing him ease their concerns and brighten their day is so special and is really important for these students right now. I mean, how can you not smile seeing him wag his tail as the students pet him?”
The school staff also hopes that Comet will help improve the school’s chronic absentee rating. JHS plans to have Comet welcome students to school every day to help students look forward to coming just to give him a few scratches before class. Both students and staff were excited to welcome Comet to the school and are excited to see how he’ll touch the hearts in the community.