First Community Bank has announced a partnership with Paws for Purpose and Snowy Pines White Labs to help place specially trained therapy dogs in schools across Arkansas.
The effort is part of the Arkansas Therapy Dogs in Education program, which is designed to support student well-being, encourage learning and provide schools with another resource for creating positive and supportive learning environments.
First Community Bank is serving as a community partner for the initiative by helping identify schools that could benefit from a therapy dog, connecting program representatives with school administrators and supporting schools throughout the placement process.
During the 2026-27 school year, First Community Bank says it has already helped place seven therapy dogs in area school districts.
The dogs are trained to provide comfort, companionship and support to students, educators and staff throughout the school day.
First Community Bank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dale Cole said the impact of the dogs can extend far beyond the classroom.
Cole said therapy dogs may help students feel more comfortable reading aloud, provide a calming presence during difficult days and offer a supportive connection for children who may be struggling.
The program places therapy dogs in schools and provides training and resources to help staff successfully integrate the animals into the educational environment.
Therapy dogs can work alongside school counselors, special education teachers, classroom teachers and other school personnel to support a variety of student needs.
Gary Sevier, chief operating officer at Paws for Purpose, said the program is about helping students who may come to school carrying emotional burdens and providing them with a trained companion that can offer comfort without judgment.
Paws for Purpose says interactions with therapy animals may help reduce stress and anxiety while encouraging feelings of connection and well-being.
The organization also says therapy dogs can be especially helpful in school reading programs, where students who feel nervous reading in front of others can practice in a more relaxed setting.
Paws for Purpose reports that research involving canine reading programs has shown potential improvements in reading fluency, confidence and enthusiasm for reading.
Cole said seven school communities now have a new resource dedicated to supporting students, and First Community Bank hopes to see the program continue expanding across Arkansas.
For more information about First Community Bank, call 870-612-3400 or visit FirstCommunity.net.
First Community Bank is locally owned and managed and opened in Batesville in 1997. The bank now operates 35 locations across Arkansas and Missouri, employs approximately 670 professional bankers, and reports assets of $3.6 billion as of June 30, 2026.
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