As Ola the therapy dog, along with vibrant owner Marlene Boyer, strolled through the halls of the Pennsburg Manor, residents and workers alike radiated with joy.

            Ola, a three year old female Harlequin Great Dane, has been visiting the 

Pennsburg Manor every Thursday afternoon for almost a year now.

            Each time the duo visits, Boyer recognizes the emotional change in the atmosphere when Ola is around and believes the visits has a good impact on the residents.

            "I love chatting with the residents. I don't like just popping in and out, I would rather sit down and chat. Everybody has a dog story, so we chat with them about their dogs," stated Boyer.

            Therapy dogs, such as Ola, can help residents at the Pennsburg Manor by providing therapeutic contact to alleviate stress.

            Residents at the Pennsburg Manor reflect Boyer's statement as they eagerly await outside their bedroom doors for Ola to approach, even cracking a few laughs as Ola playfully lays down on the ground.

"Ola just brightens your day and we are always so happy to see her," stated Pennsburg Manor resident Nancy Cheeseman.

            Boyer first realized she wanted her very own therapy dog when she noticed the service's positive impact on patients while working at the Lehigh Valley Hospital.

            "When Ola was a puppy she was very laidback with people and other animals and when I observed the therapy dogs at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, most of them you had to bend over or pick up; I always said when I get a therapy dog, it's going to be one you just reach out and touch; Ola definitely fills the bill there," stated Boyer.

            Boyer recognizes the true beauty of Alliance of Therapy Dogs, an international organization which Ola was certified through, is that there is no restriction on a certain breed or mix.

            "Any dog is eligible, it does not matter what breed, big or small" claimed Boyer.

            Ola had to go through multiple obedience classes and four supervised visits with a national evaluator before earning the certified title of therapy dog.

            "Several classes she did have to repeat, she wasn't always the overachiever in certain areas" stated Boyer.

            Boyer and Ola also volunteer weekly at Manor Care in Cedar Crest and are a part of a program called Canines Offering Passengers Encouragement (C.O.P.E.) located at the Lehigh Valley International Airport.

            "It's a whole different experience at the airport with the kids; When Ola sees the children, she immediately gets on the ground and crawls towards them. I think she realizes she is a little too big," stated Boyer.

            Alliance of Therapy Dogs members are required to make at least four visits a year and pay an insurance fee, but are free to choose when or where to visit.

            "I want to get people to at least think about the organization and it is so easy to get your dog certified, they don't have to be anything special or purebred," stated Boyer.

            Recently, Ola received a charm for completing a hundred visits and a patch for being a therapy dog for one year.

            "I'd say the best part about Ola is her disposition," stated Boyer.

            On most visiting days, Ola gets her morning bath, eats a spoonful of peanut butter, and wears a big pink tutu for easy female recognition for her audience.

            "Ola our therapy dog along with Sam, Sandy, Doc and Tiny who also visit the manor on a weekly basis, enrich the lives of our residents by giving them their unconditional love that animals are known for" stated Pamela Mullaney, Director of Recreation at the Pennsburg Manor.

            If you are interested in certifying your dog through Alliance of Therapy Dogs, visit their website at www.therapydogs.com or call the toll-free number 877-843-7364.