February 23, 2015 (Florence, SC) ─ Good things come in small packages! That’s a sentiment many residents at Pee Dee Gardens would agree with when it comes to Bentley and Bug, two pet therapy dogs who have visited the DePaul Senior Living Community in Florence twice a month. Both toy poodles, the dogs are owned by Margi Baldwin-Moore and her husband David Moore of Florence.

Pictured here are Pee Dee Gardens resident Joe Reino with Baldwin-Moore and resident Pat Kale holding one of the pet therapy dogs.

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 Pee Dee Gardens Activity Director Carly Yaken. “And Bug and Bentley love the attention as well.”

Baldwin-Moore has been working with Therapy Dogs International (TDI) since 1999. She began visiting Pee Dee Gardens in 2005 with Sweet Pea, a small dachshund. After Sweet Pea passed away in December 2013, Baldwin-Moore took some time off. She recently returned with Bentley and Bug, her third and fourth therapy dogs. An evaluator with TDI, Baldwin-Moore said pet therapy is her way of giving back to the community.

“When we’re going to retirement communities like Pee Dee Gardens, they get to know the residents,” said Baldwin-Moore. “These visits help bring back happy memories for the seniors. They always smile when they see the dogs.”

She, her husband and their dogs visit several senior living communities in the area. They also work with youth at the McLeod Children’s Hospital and at Delmae Elementary School’s Tail Waggin’ Tutors program.

For more information about Pee Dee Gardens, please contact Administrator Sherri Scott at (843) 667-6699 or visit us on Facebook.