Hearing the pitter-patter of puppy paws is enough to put anyone in a good mood. At Heritage Hill Senior Community in Weatherly, residents in Shepherd’s Garden Memory Care Neighborhood know just what that sound means — Mikey’s here!

The 6-month-old Victorian bulldog began making regular visits in September coming three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Since his arrival, Mikey has left residents smitten by his affectionate, gentle and lovable personality.

“The residents can’t get enough of him,” Mikey’s owner Sara Kahr said. She is also the Memory Care director at Heritage Hill.

Mikey is eager to meet his friends, often ready to run down the hall.

“He loves them and gets really excited when he walks through the door,” Kahr said. “He’s such a lover and the residents know it. They’re just as eager to give him love, too.”

Aside from his affectionate and gentle personality, Victorian bulldogs are also known for their easygoing demeanor, which is why they’re often referred to as “the people’s dog.”

Mikey’s positive presence has captivated the residents of Shepherd’s Garden, Heritage Hill’s Memory Care neighborhood that offers support to those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

“The improvement in well-being is apparent as soon as he walks through the doors,” said Kahr. “Their faces light up unlike anything I’ve seen before, and those effects linger on for the days when Mikey isn’t here.”

He also gives many of the residents something to look forward to, as well as a sense of responsibility and purpose. They insist on taking him for walks, playing fetch and giving him an abundance of belly rubs.

“Not only does Mikey get a lot of love, but he also returns that love and some days it’s hard to get him to leave them at the end of the day,” said Kahr.

Although just a puppy now, Kahr has already begun training Mikey in hopes he’ll eventually become a certified therapy dog. In October, he completed Puppy Education sponsored by the PetSmart Pet Training Program.

Heritage Hill Senior Community is a unique, award-winning Personal Care and Memory Care community located at 800 Sixth St., Weatherly.

For more information, call Rachael Kapes, marketing director, at 570-427-4500 or visit www.heritagehillsenior.com.