Name: Clover 

Breed: Red Golden Retriever 

Age: 2 

Gender: Female 

Weight: 45 lbs. 

Handler: Matthew Ferris 

County/Counties: Jackson/Haywood 

Likes: Water, being pet, taking naps, rolling in the grass 

Dislikes: Being disturbed when trying to relax/nap 

Clover is a 2-year-old Red Golden Retriever weighing approximately 45 pounds. Energetic and affectionate, she loves playing in the water, splashing around, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite activities include fetch, receiving pets, and taking long afternoon naps. Clover is highly social and thrives on meeting new people, bringing warmth and comfort wherever she goes. While she primarily works in Haywood County, she also travels throughout western North Carolina to provide support and companionship to those in need as part of HIGHTS' animal-assisted interventions. 

Matt is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Qualified MH Professional in North Carolina, with a strong background in both military service and behavioral health. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2006 to 2018, where he was selected as a Military Working Dog Handler and progressed to the roles of Chief Trainer and Kennel Master. Following his honorable discharge, Matt relocated to western North Carolina and began working in the human services field. He joined HIGHTS as an intern in 2021 and became a full-time staff member in 2022. Matt holds a degree in Substance Use Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He currently serves as the Haywood County Coordinator for HIGHTS, where he also supports the integration of Animal-Assisted Interventions into the organization's skill-building programs.