Community Corner

Rescue Dog and Elderly are Therapy for Each Other

Visits to Sumner on Ridgewood raise the spirits of residents who take special comfort from animals.

Ruthanne McMeechan, of Fairlawn, and her 6-year-old German Shepherd Ella make weekly visits to Sumner on Ridgewood in Copley Township. The dog provides an opportunity for socialization for residents, many of whom have some degree of memory loss and communication difficulties. The program also is therapeutic for Ella too. The animal was wary of people when she was first rescued from a breeding facility, but training and the Sumner visits have put her more at ease with people.  


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