May 2, 2014 (Mt. Airy, NC) ─ Once a month, the pitter patter of little feet and the wagging of tails brings out the animal lover in the residents at Twelve Oaks, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Mt. Airy.

Activities Director Anna Burford brings her dachshund Hansen and her mother Clara Harrell’s Chihuahua Bullet in to visit with residents. Pictured here enjoying time with Hansen are Twelve Oaks residents Shirley Clark, Joyce Hutchens, Mary Carr and Kat Shackelford.

Burford said pet therapy brings back memories of pets the residents have owned over their lifetimes.

“Because they are small dogs, the residents can cuddle them in their arms and pet them which elicit a range of emotions,” she said.

According to Therapy Dogs International, studies have shown a decrease in blood pressure and stress levels during pet therapy visits.

“You can see how happy the dogs make the residents in the smiles on their faces,” said Burford. “And Hansen and Bullet love the attention as well.”

For more information about Twelve Oaks, please contact Administrator Penny Haynes at (336) 786-1130 or visit us on Facebook.