What a great time we had on August 10, celebrating the Dog Days of Summer held on the third and fourth floors of the Health Center! Eight playful and well-groomed canines entertained approximately 40 residents, patients, and associates.
Residents baked fancy pet cakes in preparation for the party. The fun of mixing the flavorful batches was interspersed with storytelling about favorite pets. Many of the residents and patients were reminded of dogs, cats, and other animals blessing their households over the years. Proven to be confidence boosters, therapeutic pet visits are highly anticipated across Pine Run campus and at Lakeview.
Festivities got underway when the soft pawed guests arrived with their two-legged owners: 
Sylvia Roman and her mini Schnauzer, Ebony
Mary Zoucal and Clumber Spaniel, Tess
Ellen Vesey and Border Collie, Charlie
Donna and Katie Delich with two Pugs, Raider and Moxie
Chaplain Cleta Szoke and Sealyham Terrier, Snowdon
Cathleen Stewart and her Shianese (Shih Tzu and Pekingese mix), Liam George
Antoinette “Dill” D’Ambre and daughter with Havanese, Desi
Peter Young on banjo and crooner Dave Cameron added musical accompaniment to the parade of happy breeds. All of the residents seemed to really like them, but Richard Traganza, Marian Phalon, and Helene Dubell – eagerly petting and cooing each canine – were left begging for more!
To be sure they return soon, we bid them farewell with colorful doggie bags containing pet cakes in exotic flavors – carob, cheese, and pizza! Plus, two rawhides for good measure.
— Tracy Mullarkey