‘Roxy,' the therapy dog, makes the rounds at Mount Alverno

WARWICK — “Roxy” is a very friendly dog with an important mission. She helps contribute to the health and well being of the residents of Mount Alverno Assisted Living Center and Schervier Pavilion skilled nursing facility, both of which share the Bon Secours Charity Health System’s Warwick Campus with St. Anthony Community Hospital. According to Therapy Dogs International, Inc., studies have shown that a person holding or petting an animal will experience a lowering of blood pressure, the release of strain and tension and a release from loneliness and depression. The organization’s literature explains that the bond between dog and man dates back to early history, but it wasn’t until recently that a correlation was acknowledged between this bond and the emotional health of humans. Roxy, a mixed Bull Terrier, owned by Warwick residents Phil and Pat De Negri, is a trained certified therapy dog. She loves her job and the residents of Mount Alverno and Schervier Pavilion love her. At Mount Alverno, for example, the activity room often fills with laughter when she sits in a chair, offers a paw or clowns, as she recently did by modeling her beachwear after returning from a lakeside outing. “A therapy dog must be outgoing,” said Phil De Negri. “Roxy looks forward to these visits. And, while we’re here, everyone starts swapping stories about their own pets. It’s a lot of fun.” “We are grateful to Phil and Pat De Negri for volunteering their time each week to bring Roxy to our activities room,” said Mount Alverno administrator Lisa Fedorka. “The residents look forward to her visits and then talk about it for days. It’s one of our most popular activities.” Anyone interested in learning more about Therapy Dogs can call Phil De Negri at 986-2982.