Children with special needs met with some special, furry friends Friday.

The folks at the Paws In Hand program brought shelter dogs over to the Windsor Learning Center in Pompton Lakes to meet the children. The group says that the partnership is beneficial to both the kids and the dogs.

“To better socialize shelter dogs so they can be easily adopted and at the same time enrich the lives of special needs students,” says Tom Keyser with the group.

Meeting these loveable friends was a big hit for the kids.

“They’re so cute. I love them and I wish I had them,” said kindergarten student James Dolon.

“It’s very fun to hang out with dogs,” says sixth grader Caleb Hochberg. “They can love you. They can lick you, they can sleep with you. It’s so much fun.”

"They call it 'help on both ends of the leash,' which helps the students, but also helps the dogs,” says program coordinator Kathy Moran.

More information about the Paws in Hand program can be found on the group’s website.

For more information about the school, click here.