PALMERSTON - Sissy the dog is making plenty of new friends these days.
She and her owner, Clifford resident Dan Ellis, spend about an hour every week visiting residents at Royal Terrace retirement and nursing home in Palmerston as part of the facility’s new pet therapy program.
“I think it’s a wonderful program,” said Ellis. “I can see the residents really enjoy it.”
Sissy is part husky and part German shepherd. Ellis estimates she is about seven years old. He can’t say for sure, since his family rescued Sissy from a kennel near Guelph. She originally came from the United States and this is the dog’s fourth family.
Their relationship got off to a rocky start, said Ellis.
“She had separation anxiety and did a lot of damage to the house,” he said.
But he saw her potential. After much time, patience and training, “now she’s great,” said Ellis.
The dog’s pleasant temperament and friendly nature caused Ellis to consider training for a therapy dog program.
“She’s very good, she likes everybody and she likes attention,” he said.
They completed training with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program in September.
Director of life enrichment Jennifer George said she’s very happy to have Ellis on board with the program and she’s thankful for his dedication.
Many of the residents look forward to Sissy’s visit, including those who had pets of their own prior to living in Royal Terrace.
“It’s going very well,” George said. “The residents just love it . . . It’s amazing to see their faces light up.”