Even Gov. Jim Justice’s harshest critics find it difficult to argue he hit on political magic when he introduced Babydog to adoring West Virginians. It makes sense, then, that First Lady Cathy Justice has made it her mission to bring that kind of magic to students who need it.

“You know me, I’m very in tune with what a dog can bring to all of us,” Jim Justice said. “Babydog has done it, and I know there are a bunch of new therapy dogs that will be doing good stuff, too. I am so excited to see how these dogs will positively impact students around our state. We are going to continue helping our students and communities by providing them with the resources they need to succeed.”

With the First Lady’s Friends With Paws Initiative, the seven newest therapy dogs will bring the total to 19 in our state’s CIS schools. Communities in Schools counties are those in which students are disproportionately affected by poverty, substance misuse, or other at-risk situations. For those students, a therapy dog could be just the support that gets them through the school day.

“These therapy dogs will bring friendship, love, and support to their schools,” Cathy Justice said. “I look forward to welcoming each one and seeing the amazing work that they do for our students.”

While the newest class will be deployed to Greenbrier East High School in Greenbrier County, Chapmanville Intermediate School in Logan County, Berkeley Springs High School in Morgan County, Elkins High School in Randolph County, Pendleton County Middle-High School in Pendleton County, Washington Lands Elementary School in Marshall County and a school yet to be determined, there are 260 CIS schools in 53 counties.

The work of Friends With Paws must not come to a screeching halt when Cathy Justice is no longer First Lady. Our students need as much support as we can give them. And while the 19 already on the job are sure to do great things, they can’t do it all — even if they work like dogs.