Animal Fostering Program Cultivates Compassion and Discipline

L. Jay Mitchell has owned and operated therapeutic boarding school Greenbrier Academy for Girls since 2007. Located in Pence Springs, West Virginia, the school operates under L. Jay Mitchell’s leadership to provide therapeutic programming that supports the mental and emotional health of girls in eighth through 12th grade.

In addition to a fully accredited academic program, Greenbrier Academy offers girls the opportunity to participate in a dog and cat fostering program. Designed to help students cultivate qualities such as empathy, hard work, and trust, the program involves a symbiotic relationship between human and animal. The dogs and other animals receive loving temporary homes, training, exercise, and attention, while the girls learn important skills related to caretaking and discipline. They also take part in caring for the dogs that live permanently on the Greenbrier campus.

Accepting the responsibility required to care for an animal tends to increase confidence and trust among the girls. Over time, the girls undergo remarkable transformations as a result of their newfound compassion and competence.