April 11, 2013 (Winston-Salem, NC) ─ You don’t have to look far to find man and woman’s best friend at Southfork, a DePaul Senior Living Community. In addition to pet therapy several times each month, residents enjoy the company of Miss Stripes, a resident cat, and two parakeets.

Pictured here is Southfork resident Sharon Colbert along with Trapper and Ella, and Karen Mielke of Statesville who visits Southfork once a month with her German Shepherd Cheyenne.

Margaret Hadleman and Jennifer Brown, volunteers with the Forsyth Humane Society’s Critter Cuddlin’ program, visit once a week with their dogs. Every Wednesday, Hadleman is accompanied by her poodles Trapper and Ella while Brown brings her dog Gracie to visit at Southfork.

“The dogs will stand up on their hind legs, get in residents’ laps and lick their faces and they love it,” said Activities Director LaDonna Grimes.

Another furry friend, eight-year-old German Shepherd Cheyenne, has visited Southfork once a month for the past four years. Accompanied by owner Karen Mielke of Statesville, Cheyenne is registered with Therapy Dogs International. According to Therapy Dogs International, studies have shown a decrease in blood pressure and stress levels during pet therapy visits. Residents love walking Cheyenne down the hallways or inviting the furry friend into their room to reminisce, said Mielke.

“Interacting with animals brings residents back to their youth and growing up with pets,” said Grimes. “Playing with animals makes them feel young again.”

In addition, Southfork is home to a cat, Miss Stripes, and two parakeets.

For more information about Southfork, please contact Administrator Jennifer Foy at (336) 768-8828.