Alexa Kirkwood & FOREST

Alexa is a graduate of UNCW who has completed the Assistance Dog Training Program, as well as the Puppy Development Center Internship Program. She earned her degree in Special Education: Adapted Curriculum in May 2018. In August 2018, FOREST and Alexa began their careers together working in a self-contained classroom for students with autism spectrum disorder. FOREST is a huge asset to not only his classroom, but the whole school. FOREST’s job is to assist, comfort, and motivate students and staff throughout the school. More specifically, he is able to comfort students who may have experienced a traumatic event in their home life. Another one of FOREST’s specific job tasks is motivating students in his classroom to communicate utilizing their AAC devices, sign language, and/or verbal skills on a daily basis. FOREST is very popular and loved by so many staff and students at his school. FOREST even accompanied Alexa at the Kanawha County Board of Education as she was named Kanawha County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022. Alexa says she could not have done it without him! This team is doing wonderful things in the West Virginia School System, and we are thrilled to have them as part of the paws4people family.