Therapy dogs keep seniors busy

Chocolate, appropriately named, is a 12-1/2 year-old chocolate lab/chow mix who has been a certified therapy dog since May 2016, thanks to her owner, Marilyn Cozzens.
“She was rescued from the pound when she was 11 months old,” said Cozzens. “In the year she was certified, she made 54 visits to such places as Senior Circle, the Alzheimer’s unit at Brookdale and Casa Maria.”
Cozzens has two other therapy dogs, Tango, a male golden retriever who is 9 years old, and Jetta, a black lab who is 7.
When asked why, she said, “I wanted something to do for my dogs and for seniors. This way, I get to spend quality time with my dogs and share love and comfort and joy with people.”