A former Wise County Animal Shelter rescue dog will soon be headed to Newtown, Conn., to become the family pet of a young boy who survived the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14.

The Golden Retriever was picked up by the Pet Rescue Alliance in Virginia and will be named Soto in honor of the boy’s teacher, Victoria Soto, who died in the shooting. The puppy is expected to be delivered to its new family this weekend.

Look for a feature story in an upcoming issue of the Messenger.