3-Legged Therapy Dog Eases Alzheimer’s Symptoms At United Hebrew

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Tinsley, a 3-year-old, three-legged 25-pound American White Eskimo mix, was thrown out of a car when she was a 5-month-old puppy. She was rescued by New Rochelle resident Stephanie Bostaph, who saw in Tinsley, who is now an amputee, a sweetness that she wanted to share.

Tinsley and Bostaph are now a Good Dog Foundation certified pet therapy team, and together they visit each month with elderly residents with dementia at United Hebrew of Rochelle.

The visits are designed to bring comfort, ease anxiety, and lift the spirits of the residents, some of whom are otherwise non-responsive to other social interventions, according to a spokeswoman. Medical experts said that animal-assisted therapy has been shown in studies to improve the overall mental health of seniors with dementia.

United Hebrew offers pet therapy as part of its robust therapeutic activity program, which also includes music, art, and movement therapy, and social, cultural and fitness programs.

“We design our therapeutic activities to help our residents engage in positive behaviors and connect to the world around them,” said Dr. Elaine Healy, United Hebrew’s vice president of medical affairs.

“They move more. They smile more. And families who participate are delighted to have a way to connect with their loved one,” she said.

Bostaph, who was raised by her single mother and her grandparents, has been volunteering with seniors since she was in middle school, and has always had a strong connection to older adults.

She said that, during their visits, she sees residents, some of whom are non-verbal and physically limited, relax, smile and brighten up.

“Their eyes light up,” Bostaph said.

CORRECTION: Stephanie Bostaph's last name was misspelled in a previous version of this article. Patch regrets the error.

Lead photo caption: Willie Mae Anderson and Tinsley. Photo credit: MiMA Photography.