HomeNewsDOGS OFFER THERAPY TO SCHOOLCHILDREN, HOSPITAL PATIENTS, AND SENIOR CARE RESIDENTS

DOGS OFFER THERAPY TO SCHOOLCHILDREN, HOSPITAL PATIENTS, AND SENIOR CARE RESIDENTS

therapy dog joey ray and rob meerdink (2)One of the newer services offered by Orange City Home Health & Hospice is “pet therapy” for patients and families. Rob Meerdink — a nurse at Prairie Ridge Care Center, part of Orange City Area Health System — volunteers his time with Joey, his seven-year-old Havanese therapy dog. In this photo, Joey is on his 500th therapy visit, spending time with Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community resident Ray Van Pelt. Joey has been a certified therapy dog for five years, and with the 500th visit he earns the Therapy Dog International Gold Dog Award.