NORFOLK, Va., April 9 -- Old Dominion University issued the following news release:
By Patricia Chourio
For Ray Rodgers, an Old Dominion University (ODU) Community Care patient and People in Need (PiN) Ministry volunteer, the days he gets to spend with Ruth are the ones he looks forward to most.
Ruth, an intuitive yellow lab and certified therapy dog, visits the clinic regularly with her handler Tina Gustin, D.N.P. (D.N.P. '11), associate professor for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University. When Ray sits beside Ruth at the clinic, he says all his worries fade away. Petting her and talking lovingly to her, he gets a glimpse of a better future.
"I'm a different person when I'm arou...