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.
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