File photo (Brian Ferry) The Warren County School District’s original therapy dogs, left, Hero, with Special Education Supervisor Heather Stover, and Pepper, with Occupational Therapist Cayla Leichtenberger, are introduced to the district staff in August 2022 at an in-service at Warren Area High School.

A fifth furry face is joining the Warren School District.

In a post to the Youngsville Elementary School website this month, it was announced a two year-old golden retriever named Stormy, nicknamed Gus, will be joining the school district with his handler Laura Bierbower, a counselor at YES.

The pair will primarily serve YES and Youngsville Middle/High School.

The PAWSitive Support therapy dog program began in the district last year with the addition of Hero, a golden retriever, and Pepper, a goldendoodle, who are primarily assigned to Beaty-Warren Middle School and Warren Area Elementary Center, respectively.

This year, the district approved the addition of two more dogs after receiving a donation for the program. Wags Joan and Dee Dee, both golden retrievers, are primarily assigned to the Eisenhower attendance area and Warren Area High School.

The dogs also visit schools outside of their primary assignment.

“Therapy dogs help create a comfortable, happy, and safe environment,” WCSD Director of Pupil Services Patricia Mead said in a previous introduction of the program concept. “Studies show that children’s reading abilities improve with the use of therapy dogs. Changes in attitudes toward reading, reading skill levels, schoolwork, attitudes toward homework, attendance, and changes in self-esteem and self-confidence can be seen by involving a therapy dog in a school. Therapy dogs have also been known to decrease levels of anxiety.”