"Preston County Schools and Preston High School are extremely excited to become a part of the Friends with Paws therapy dog program," said Superintendent of Preston County Schools Brad Martin. "We are so hopeful that our new dog Chester will provide benefit to the students of Preston High School and specifically to help our students to lessen anxiety and be more comfortable attending school each day. Preston County Schools is extremely appreciative of the support provided by First Lady Justice's Office and the Community in Schools program to provide this great service for our students."
Students at Preston High School on the morning of October 30th, 2024, participated in a "Pup Rally" to welcome the newest member of the Preston High School Knights, Sir Chester. Through First Lady of WV Cathy Justice's Friends with Paws initiative, Preston High School now becomes the 41st school to have a therapy dog placed in West Virginia, while WV remains the only state to have such a program in its public school system. Chester comes to Preston High School as a highly trained 10 month old, where he has been a part of a training program, Ultimate Paws, in Indiana since birth.
Chester has been trained to respond to trauma while providing support, comfort and love to those in need. His training and services will assist our students and help them to gain confidence where maybe previously lacking. He's an additional resource to our students, and Preston County Schools is thankful to First Lady Justice, Communities in Schools, and all those who have volunteered their time and efforts to make this a possibility for our students.
*Chester was gifted through this initiative and no county or levy funds have been used or will be used for this program. 
