CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Patients at the Naval Medical Center at Camp Lejeune can now visit with a new therapy dog.
The original owners of "Pappy Boyington" gave him up because of behavioral problems and sent him to a shelter.
There, a trainer picked him up and put him to work in the new "Canine Visitation Program."
"He's come a long way from a bleak future, so he's got a second chance at life, and a purpose," said Sunnie Tortorici.
Staff members and visitors stopped by the hospital Tuesday to say hello to the 15-month-old Rhodesian ridgeback/Lab mix.
Pappy is the first therapy dog to visit the hospital as part of the Canine Visitation Program, a partnership between NMCCL and the American Red Cross. The mission of the program is to facilitate patient recovery, decrease stress levels and provide a communication medium for patients, family and personnel.
Officials are hoping to bring in more therapy dogs in the future.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Police: Sex offender kidnapped woman from gas station, sexually assaulted her
- Charlotte couple admits to forcing children into prostitution in Myrtle Beach
- CMPD: Woman robbed at gunpoint at Ballantyne Bank of America ATM
- WATCH: Keith Monday's Wednesday forecast outlook
- Bar worker shot following fight in Plaza Midwood, police say
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
