Florida shooting: Students are greeted by therapy dogs on return to class after massacre

AS classes resumed at the Florida school where a gunman killed 17 people, therapy dogs were on hand.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas students meet a therapy dog upon returning to school. Picture: Instagram

SURVIVORS of the Florida school shooting have been greeted with therapy dogs after they returned to class for the first time since the massacre.

“Today our therapy dogs welcomed the students back to school,” tweeted the Humane Society of Broward County, along with photos of the students patting the pooches inside of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The dogs were a big hit with the students on what was a difficult day. Picture; Instagram

“They participated in classes all day, made lots of new friends and provided unconditional love and comfort,” the agency said, using the hashtag #MSDStrong.

“It’s an honour to be part of the comfort and healing process at MSD with their amazing students, principal and faculty.”

The US Humane Society said the dogs would be on hand for the “foreseeable future”. Picture: Instagram

Students and teachers alike seemed thrilled with the dogs who appeared to be a great help to a school still recovering from the Valentine’s Day shooting which killed 17 people.

“My first period class with our borrowed therapy dog, Woody,” tweeted teacher Sarah Lerner.

According to the US Humane Society, the dogs “work with a handler to provide affection and comfort to members of the public”.

My first period class with our borrowed therapy dog, Woody. pic.twitter.com/NcRkd2E9CA

— Sarah Lerner, CJE (@mrs_lerner) February 28, 2018

This includes working with schools, libraries or visiting the elderly in nursing homes.

School board member Dr Rosalind Osgood tolda local news station that the dogs would remain on campus for the foreseeable future.

“One mother said, ‘You know, everybody is here today, but how long will [the therapy dog program] take place?’ And I said, ‘As long as we need it to,’’ explained Dr Osgood.

Teachers and students arrived early at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, their first day back after a former student allegedly killed 17 people with an AR-15 in a Valentine’s Day massacre.

The dogs brought smiles to the students’ faces. Picture: Instagram

A long line of cars circled the school and dozens of television trucks and vehicles were camped out nearby as students, parents and staff were ushered through a security cordon, past a “Welcome Eagles” banner and a walkway lined with flowers, photographs and other memorials. Some were returning despite severe gun wounds, but even those who weren’t hit by bullets spoke of emotional trauma.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas students with Karma, the therapy dog. Picture: Instagram

“We did go through a tragedy,” student Casey Sherman said, who walked in holding hands with her boyfriend. “It was terrible but if you let it stop you ... it’s not how you go down, it’s how you get back up.”

The dogs, ready to go to work. Picture: Instagram