October 17, 2013 (North Chili, NY) ─ Fiona and Hannah, two therapy dogs owned by Barbara Strand of Macedon, are trading tricks for belly rubs at Westwood Commons, a DePaul Senior Living Community.

“Residents just love to see these two when they come to visit,” said Activities Director Cathy Toney. “They bring snacks for them. They are just such comforting dogs.”

Fiona, a white husky with three legs, has been a licensed therapy dog for over two years.

“Fiona just has that loving personality,” said Strand. “She needed something like this to do to give back. Fiona really needed a job to tie her to the world.”

Hannah, a nine-year-old terrier mix, has been involved in pet therapy for one year.

“The dogs just eat it up,” said Strand. “You can tell they are as thrilled doing this as the residents are at having them visit.”

In addition to visiting Westwood Commons, Strand has been bringing Fiona and Hannah to the Canandaigua VA Medical Center and to an elementary school in Penfield where students read to the dogs. Strand said the joy her dogs bring to those she visits is all the reward she needs.

“It’s just the sense that I can do something simple to make somebody else’s day a bit better.”

For more information about Westwood Commons, please contact Administrator Karen Shaffer at (585) 293-2060 or visit us on Facebook.