Ava soaked up the love on Friday at the Benedictine Living Community.

She’s a 5-year-old long-haired German Shepherd, who’s now a registered therapy dog.

Lorraine Little is her handler. She’s been volunteering with the Red Cross for years. And when this opportunity came up, through the Service to the Armed Forces program of the Red Cross, she decided to go for it.

“I’ve always wanted to work with a therapy dog,” she told us. “Ava is is having her best time. It’s a different way to interact with people. And, you know, the joy that we see on people’s faces is pretty incredible,” Little said.

Veterans and others who met Ava on Friday really enjoyed spending time with her.

Benedictine leaders are thrilled they stopped by.

“We feel good about having the Red Cross here with Ava. What a beautiful dog. And the Red Cross is very good to our residents. And particularly today, for the veterans. We have over 50 veterans who live here and we do a variety of things for them,” shared Merry Wallin, the Foundation Development Director.

The Red Cross also dropped off candy and cards for the veterans.

For more about Red Cross dogs: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2021/red-cross-dogs-throughout-history-and-today.html