Dogs ease COVID-19 isolation for a New York nursing home residents

Jeff Philipson, 80, left, exclaims as therapeutic activities staff member Kate DelPizzo arrives for a visit with Zeus, a bichon frise, at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New York.

Sal Markowitz, 96, right, and Sandra Greer, 82, left, visit with Marley, a Great Dane, while therapeutic activities director Catherine Farrell looks on.

Therapeutic activities director Catherine Farrell arrives at a resident's room with Marley, a Great Dane. New dog recruits are helping to expand the nursing home's pet therapy program, giving residents and staff physical comfort while human visitors are still restricted because of the pandemic.

Kida, a chocolate Labrador, visits with Sal Gonzales, 79, in his room at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New York.

Owner Joy Solomon, left, and therapeutic activities staff member Olivia Cohen work with Redwood, a poodle, to accustom him to common nursing home sights, such as wheelchairs, at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale.

Staff member Francis Marrero greets Marley, a Great Dane, at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New York.

Kelley Dixon, right, greets Redwood, a poodle, as he trains while making the rounds at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale.

Eileen Nagle, 79, talks with Zeus, a bichon frise, as he visits her room at The Hebrew Home at Riverdale.

Kida, a chocolate Labrador, preparers for a visit at The Hebrew Home.

Jeff Philipson, 80, right, smiles as he visits with Zeus, a bichon frise, at The Hebrew Home.

Jerry Woloz, 79, visits with his family and a new dog via a tablet at The Hebrew Home.