Mace welcomed to HPS family

It’s been an exciting, but busy week for Henryetta Public Schools.

On Monday, following a lengthy presentation about the Morris Schools Therapy Dogs Program, the benefits of it, and other pertinent information, the school board and administrators were surprised and thrilled to learn several things.

Not only had the district been gifted an animal to be trained as a therapy dog, but also First Family Federal Credit Union contributed $1,000 to aid the program, and grooming and veterinarians services were being contributed.

With the board’s blessing, HES Counselor Jennifer Huckabay accompanied Kelli Baker and Lisa Merrill of Morris on Tuesday morning to Arkansas to pick up Mace, the new therapy (in-training) dog for the district.

The travelers went to FURever Friend Poodles and Doodles, and met with breeder Lorra Shaw, who welcomed them with open arms and turned over the goldendoodle fur

Editor’s Note: The Henryetta Free-Lance & Okmulgee Times, your county newspapers, have joined forces and will spearhead “Give A Dog A Bone” – Food, Treats & Toys: A Therapy Dog Benefit Drive, which will be announced next week with full details on how the entire community and county can help. The drive is aimed at assisting therapy dog programs at Henryetta, Morris and Okmulgee. Stay tuned!

friend, Mace.

Shaw, who had been in contact with Baker, was more than happy to donate the pup to Henryetta Schools.

The group, with 6-month-old Mace in tow, traveled back to Henryetta, where they met other counselors/ handlers and welcomed Mace.

Huckabay posted, “Please join me in welcoming Mace, the Therapy Dog in training to Henryetta Public Schools! We are so grateful for her! She can’t wait to meet everyone! We plan to send her to Spirit Dog Ranch for therapy training, as soon as we have raised her tuition! First Family Credit Union has given us an amazing head start with a donation of $1000 going towards her training! If anyone is interested in donating to the program, please make checks payable to Henryetta Public Schools in care of The Therapy Dog Program! Any help is greatly appreciated to get our program rolling and ready for the new school year!”

Now begins the real work – making sure all the needs are cared for as Mace begins her career in helping children.