Jules Meyer, a resident at Elmcroft assisted living facility, shares a moment with Carson.


like wheelchairs and rolling carts. Therapy dogs also need to be obe- dient and follow commands such as “heel,” “turn,” and “leave it,” if some- thing falls to the ground, Arlene says. One of the group’s therapy dogs,


Ranger, a 9-year-old Rhodesian ridge- back, exemplifies a calm demeanor. To- tally relaxed, she lies on the floor with her head resting on her paws. Her handler, Jane Heindel of Flippin,


says she realized Ranger was good with therapy work when she took her to a nursing home to visit a family member who had suffered a stroke, and saw how good she was around wheelchairs. To be certified by the Alliance of


Lorraine Dickey, a resident at Elmcroft, holds Georgy.


Therapy Dogs, dogs and their handlers pass a handling test together, which re- quires three successful facility visits su- pervised by a licensed observer-tester.


LIVING WELL  JULY/AUGUST 2019  23


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