A novel form of therapy is being dispensed with the wag of a tail at All Saints Catholic Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville. To the residents and staff, visits by Deacon Joseph Johnson and his retired champion Cardigan Welsh Corgi Jake are, in this case, just what the doctor ordered. While Deacon Joe conducts communion service in the chapel, Jake waits patiently for his opportunity to meet and greet his friends throughout All Saints. Afterwards, Deacon Joe clips on the leash and Jake is off to spread his own special form of treatment in exchange for pats, scratches and love from his admirers. Jake and Joe travel the halls stopping along the way to say hello to all. The benefits of interaction with pets are many. Visits with therapy-pets encourage reminiscences and social interaction, and result in stress relief and incidental physiotherapy. Medical studies suggest that blood pressure may be lowered and hospital stays shortened when patients have access to pets. Often, a visit with a pet can be the high point in a shut-in’s day, bringing happiness and a sense of well being. Due to complications from diabetes, walking for Deacon Johnson is difficult. His son thought that a dog and daily walks might be the medicine his father needed. He adopted Jake and the infamous partnership of the Deacon and the dog was born. Deacon Johnson, who was ordained in 1988 in the Diocese of Cleveland, remembers a patient in the Lodi (Ohio) Hospital who hadn’t spoken in days. Shortly after a visit from Jake, the patient began to speak again, asking when the dog would be coming back. The Deacon is still in awe over the occurrence. Deacon Joe Johnson and his wife, Joan, moved to Jacksonville three years ago. Deacon Joe assists at Sacred Heart Parish and All Saints Nursing Home, where he conducts a communion service three days a week. The residents of All Saints look forward to the visits from Jake so much, that if Deacon Joe doesn’t bring him, people stop and ask where their little friend is. It still amazes the deacon when a resident, who is unable to remember where the chapel is located, remembers to ask when Jake will be coming in again. Yvette Bybak, the activities director at All Saints, often brings her dog, Topsy, to work with her. Between Topsy and Jake, the residents are able to spend time with the pets regularly. The nursing home visits aren’t the only job “assigned” to Jake. The first grade at Sacred Heart School has a special class every year on pet care and responsibility “taught” by Jake and his master. Deacon Joe teaches the children that feeding, exercising and caring for a pet are enormous responsibilities. Enormous, even when the pet is as agreeable as Jake. Jake has been involved with his own brand of pet therapy for over six years. In addition to the visits at the nursing home and the school, Jake often accompanies Deacon Joe on communion calls to Sacred Heart’s shut-ins. At age 13, Jake is slowing down a bit but still seems to enjoy his calling. He is a gentle soul who asks so very little and gives so very much in return. A pat on the head or a nice little scratch behind the ear and the rewards are bountiful for all God’s creatures, great and small. Elizabeth Dorsey-Culkeen is a Jacksonville-based freelance writer and member of San Juan del Rio Parish in Jacksonville.