Golden retrievers make the sweetest greeters!

On Tuesday, students from the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, who experienced theMay school shooting at Robb Elementary Schoolthat left 21 people dead, returned to the classroom at new schools.

For the first day of school, the students had the support of parents, teachers, and 10 golden retriever comfort dogs. The compassionate canines traveled there from across the country to be with the children for the back-to-school season.

Lutheran Church Charities

Comfort Dogs Ease Anxiety For Kids Returning to School in Uvalde After Tragedy

“There was a lot of hesitancy and anxiety about getting out of the car and going into the school. So we placed the dogs outside, and I do believe that that did help some of the kids see that dog and go, ‘OK, well, I’m going to go pet the dog,'” Bonnie Fear, a crisis response coordinator for the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, said, perCNN.

“That will keep changing as the needs arise, as the kids get into their routine — and where the dogs are needed, the counselors will instruct us where to go,” Fear continued.

“Our goal is to be present with those that are hurting and in need, and we show up and just be with them in whatever they’re feeling,” she added.

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Comfort Dogs Ease Anxiety For Kids Returning to School in Uvalde After Tragedy

Comfort Dogs Ease Anxiety For Kids Returning to School in Uvalde After Tragedy

The eight golden retrievers who traveled to Texas arrived in Uvalde less than 24 hours after the shooting.

source: people.com