Finding Solutions: Therapy pups bring joy, comfort to seniors

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - They’re called man’s best friend for a reason, and really, dogs are everyone’s friend.

Especially when they’re trained to reduce stress and anxiety, bring and comfort and simply happiness.

One senior living community in Aiken has become a popular spot for these working canines who are finding solutions in simply loving on these residents.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and these dogs certainly know they are the stars.

When they enter the doors of Cumberland Village.

“The dog therapy days are wonderful,” said Beverly Woodberry, resident at Cumberland Village. “Those dogs just seemed to know you were waiting for them. They come right up to you and want to be loved.”

It’s a treat the residents get weekly, and therapy dogs Heidi and Roisin enjoy it too.

“A lot of the seniors love dogs, and they can’t have a big dog,” said Nicki Conway, handler at Alliance of Therapy Dogs. “So they miss having a dog around, so it makes them happy.”

And while the room lights up when these four-legged friends come in, the other benefits they bring are just as important.

“It makes people happy,” said Conway. “It reduces stress in some people, and I think that’s the most wonderful thing and makes people smile.”

Residents say having activities and things to look forward to is a great feeling.

“I think at our ages, we’re all elderly,” said Woodberry. “I think we give up more, and we like to have something to look forward t,o and they have a lot here.”

And it’s Suzanne Deegan’s job as the activities director to plan all the events, including partnering with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

“It makes me happy to make them happy,” said Deegan. “It’s the best job doing things for our residents that they want to do.”

Heidi and Roisin may argue that at the end of the day, they are the ones with the best job.

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