NORWICH – Some dogs in Broome and Chenango county regions are learning what it means to truly be man’s best friend.

The Boome/Chenango K-9 Help Group’s mission is to place dogs in people’s lives to enhance and educate while continuing to explore new directions for K-9 assistance.

Karen Wood, the program director and founder, had previously owned dogs that took part in a working program; after the dogs were medically discharged, she had another mission for them.

“The dogs were so good, I figured they would make great therapy dogs,” said Wood.

The dogs serve as educational tools in school programs throughout the region. For 30 minutes once a week, BC Paws to Read focuses on giving students the chance to read aloud with a dog, and to convey what they learn to the dog.