Washington Lands Elementary Welcomes New Therapy Dog
Trending
WASHINGTON LANDS - Meadow, the yellow labrador who was born a Hoosier in the state of Indiana, now has a new home, family and an extra special job in the Mountain State of West Virginia.
Meadow met her new family - the students and staff at Washington Lands Elementary School in Marshall County - during a "pup rally" held in her honor on Tuesday.
Meadow is the school's new therapy dog and is one of the many canines placed at schools across the state over the years thanks to the efforts of West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice and her Friends With Paws program.
Meadow's main handler will be fifth grade teacher Brianna Cecil, who will take her home each day. If Cecil cannot attend school on any given day, there are four backup handlers at the school who can step in and bring Meadow to work, including school Principal Julie Sturgill.
Meadow's role at Washington Lands is to help the children throughout the day. That can mean calming them down if they are upset, cheering them up when they are sad, sitting with them while they read aloud or just visiting with the children each day.
"Meadow will be there to greet you every day as soon as you get off the bus, as soon as your parents bring you to school or however you get to school," Justice said via video message.
"It will be fun. You can read to her. She's just like one of your classmates from now on."
After Justice's message, a group of students sang the song "Winter Lullaby" that was accompanied by a slideshow of photos showing students and staff with their own dogs, and some cats, at home.
And then came the big reveal. Meadow was brought into the room by Izzie Smith, a trainer with Ultimate Canine of Indiana. The children oohed and ahhed over Meadow, who is now 1 year old and has been training for her new life and job since she was 8 weeks old. Meadow wagged her tail enthusiastically as the children gushed over her arrival.
Smith went onto the stage with Meadow, showing the children some of her tricks, including one where she can wave her paw.
Meadow then went into the hallway where the students were able to briefly pet her before heading to lunch.
Prior to the rally, Cecil said it was going to be nice to have another dog at home as her own dog of 14 years passed away a couple years ago. She noted Meadow belongs to the school, but she will live full-time with her. Meadow must be kept on a schedule six days a week, but she will get Sundays off to just be a dog.
"She's wonderful. I mean, look at her," Cecil said of Meadow. "She's just very sweet. ... She's already a superstar."
Cecil said Meadow will be seen out in the community occasionally. She also has sponsors: Tractor Supply will provide a free bag of dog food each month. The company also gave the school a 50% discount on all of Meadow's startup supplies. Her new veterinarian Brandy Morgan is giving half off of her care.
"She's really the school's dog so there's a fund set up to do fundraisers and for people to donate," Cecil said. "This is going to be the most spoiled pup in Moundsville, I think. We're very excited."