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Updated: 7:25 PM Feb 16, 2012
Therapy Dog Visits Nursing Homes
Living in an assisted-living facility can be repetitive, but one local home is getting their residents active, both physically and mentally.
They're using a fun and furry form of therapy.
Posted: 7:19 PM Feb 16, 2012Reporter: Deanna Bettineschi Email Address: deanna@wtvy.com |
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"I’m just so attached to him already." Resident Eva Davidson said.
Eva Davidson loves dogs
She has been at Somerset Assisted Living for about a year, but says since Jocko came, she has been so much happier.
"I think he's going to love me if I hold him real tight." Davidson said.
She and many other residents are not just getting to pet a dog, but are receiving pet therapy.
"We believe pet therapy is a very important role in their well being." Activity Director for Somerset, Lynn Wall said.
Bringing Jocko to the facility gives residents something to talk about.
And the visits also give them a break from their daily routines.
"Oh it’s just nice to have animals come." Somerset resident Anne Whiddon said.
"I mean a lot of these people might not have a lot of visitors coming in. They might be confined to this premise. So it’s something new something different and brings some excitement to them." Jocko's owner Jeremiah Johnson said.
"Did you hear that, yea, did you hear the door bell." Resident Marvis Jenkins said.
The four legged therapist did have to go through some training before he was able to visit.
"Its major basic obedience, a lot of sit stays, being able to handle a lot of distractions, walk through places and not bark, freak out." Johnson said.
Jeremiah say Jocko was a natural...passing the therapy certification test the first time he took it.
Jocko has been visiting the home about twice a week, and the residents love him.
"A lot of them had to give their pets away to come here. They no longer have their pets, but it gives them an opening to the past a little bit, that they can recognize and reminisce about that." Wall said.
The residents have grown to love Jocko so much, they've ask to keep him.
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