The Crow here for c4ocradio.com

The Florida high school where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting is getting a therapy dog to help students who need emotional support. A 3-month-old female Bernese mountain dog-poodle mix named River, has been adopted by Ray and Diana Haneski. Mini bernedoodle’s like River averages 30 to 45 pounds (14 to 20 kilograms) fully grown. Haneski helped shelter 50 kids during the deadly shooting at the school on Valentine’s Day. Now she will be bringing River into the school to help those coping with trauma. River will live with and go to work with Haneski. She’ll receive free basic training as well as pet therapy training thanks to Fun Dog Training.

She told NBC 6 after meeting the dog Thursday that “it’s magical.” As she tries to prepare herself to return to the school, she said, “River’s going to help in the future with a lot of struggles and trouble.” In the aftermath of the tragic shooting, friends and family members of the victims, as well as survivors, were showered with condolences and prayers from strangers around the country. After seeing the positive affects the therapy dogs had on the shooting survivors’ healing process, Meryl Berdugo decided she wanted to help extend that support system beyond those first weeks following the deadly massacre, Launching a GoFundMe campaign to get two therapy dogs for the school. For more information and to donate to help support the therapy dogs at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, visit the GoFundMe.

The Crow is a contributing writer for c4ocradio.com/listenlive

Contributors to this article:

http://huffpost.com/section/weirdnews

GoFundMe.

NBC 6