HINTON, (Hinton News) – West Virginia’s First Lady, Cathy Justice, was in Hinton on Friday. Justice attended the “Pup Assembly” at Hinton Area Elementary to welcome their therapy Labradoodle, Marshal. Marshal was gifted to HAE through Justice’s Communities in Schools, Friends with Paws initiative.
The event consisted of remarks by Justice and some of her office staff, as well as David Warvel, superintendent, and Kit Durnan, assistant principal. Principal Angel Gumm had prior obligations.
Justice’s staff explained to HAE students that Marshal is working when he is at school, just like they will have a career someday. Justice encouraged good attendance and told students that Marshal would be waiting to see them every day when they came to school.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, each student received a photo of Marshal to take home and was able to pet Marshal and meet Justice on the way out of the door. Justice and her staff, school and county administration, government officials, and other guests then moved to another room for a small reception.
Cathy Justice commented on the work of the therapy dogs in the Friends with Paws program and Hinton Area’s new addition of Marshal.
Justice stated, “We have vetted these dogs for a year and a half. We got the very best emotional support dogs that we could. Since COVID, there have been a lot of children that are uneasy about coming to school. We are seeing a really great improvement in behavior, academics, and attendance. The children want to come to school and want to be a part of the dog. So I know Marshal is going to be a great success here.”
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