Protecting Your Pet: Therapy dogs

Ten-year-old Maggie is a visitor of a different breed at the Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Maggie's monthly visits aren't just a treat for her, but for the residents too. The golden retriever is a certified therapy dog. She gives the elderly in nursing homes a four-legged friend to look forward to.

"When you walk in you just see their eyes light up. It's like someone just clicked a switch and you can see them just light right up, and it makes their day because it gives them something different other than their daily routine," Maggie’s owner, Mike Kewley, said.

Kewley started the volunteer program, Shrewsbury Paws for Patients, three years ago.

"I just wanted to do things for the community and help people," Kewley said.

Kewley and Maggie visit about eight nursing homes a month. Those who work at the center say Maggie brings a unique source of affection and companionship to the elderly.

"They reminisce about when they had animals of their own and it brings up a lot of happy memories and they just enjoy the unconditional love that Maggie provides them," Judy Heck, of the Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, said. “We benefit a lot from it. We could have it everyday if it was available!"

For Kewley, it's all about seeing the joy on their faces when it's time to visit with their furry friend.

"It's an overwhelming experience for me, when I walk out the door if I can make one person smile it's all worth it," Kewley said.

Maggie also visits local hospitals.

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