Following the September 4, 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, the school community faced the difficult process of returning to classrooms and rebuilding a sense of normalcy. Alongside counselors and other support services, therapy dogs became part of the effort to provide comfort to students, teachers, and families.
What began with therapy dog visits during the school’s reopening developed into a longer-term program, giving students and staff opportunities to spend time with dogs throughout the school day.
Supporting Students and Staff as They Returned
Apalachee High School began a phased reopening on September 24, 2024, nearly three weeks after the tragedy. Students initially attended half-day classes, with additional counselors, law enforcement personnel, and therapy dogs available as the school community adjusted to returning.
Therapy dogs were present during the school’s reopening activities, giving students and staff opportunities to interact with the animals as they reconnected with their classmates and teachers. Volunteer therapy dog teams from other communities also visited during the following weeks.
Building Long-Term Support Into School Life
As the school continued its recovery efforts, Apalachee High School expanded the resources available to students and staff. These included dedicated wellness spaces, mental health professionals, and permanent therapy dogs on campus.
By the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year, three therapy dogs, Beau, Rally, and Frankie, were stationed in different areas of the school. Their presence gave students and educators another way to access support during the school day.
Read More About Apalachee High School
Learn more about the school’s recovery efforts and the role of therapy dogs through the original reporting:
- Students Return to Apalachee High School Less Than Three Weeks After Deadly Shooting — WABE, September 23, 2024.
- Therapy Dogs From Forsyth County Schools Have Helped Students Return to Apalachee High School — Forsyth County News, October 22, 2024.
- Grieving, Healing Continue at Apalachee High One Year After School Shooting — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 2025.
- Apalachee High School Video — Linked from 4 Pawz Strong’s original website.