April 22, 2014 (Hickory, NC) ─ What has four legs and will work for a good scratch behind the ear? Why it’s Ilse, a certified Therapy Dog International and one of the most popular visitors to Hickory Village Memory Care, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Hickory. A four-and-a-half year old German Shepherd, Ilse is owned by Jerry Young of Conover.

“Dogs can get through to people when people cannot,” said Young. “Seeing how people interact with dogs, it’s life-changing for some people and to me, it’s more than worthwhile.”

Pictured above with Ilse is Hickory Village residents Getsy Smithey and Sharon Donnelly, joined by the dog’s owner Jerry Young who has owned certified therapy dogs for 30 years now. Ilse is his third. A good therapy dog should be “more or less bulletproof.”

“They can’t startle, they can’t get upset and they can’t react adversely in a bad situation,” he said. “It requires some basic obedience training and they need to be able to responds willingly to whatever command you give.”

Wilson said everyone at Hickory Village loves it when Ilse comes to visit. It brings back fun memories and the dog provides residents with unconditional love.

“Dogs do not see your current situation, the wrinkles on your face, the grey in your hair, whether you walk or use a wheelchair or whether or not you have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease,” said Hickory Village Activities Director Anna Wilson. “They just know you need them just as much as they need you.”

For more information about Hickory Village, please contact Administrator Susan Blizzard at (828) 322-2230.