Special to Cape Life

The halls of Gulf Coast Village, a continuing care retirement community in Cape Coral, are no stranger to 91-year-old resident Roger Wieland and therapy dog Jack.

Brought to Gulf Coast Village by employee Laura Diachenko, Jack is a 3-year-old miniature Australian shepherd who has been involved in the community from the time he was a puppy, making a difference in the lives of residents, families and staff through his gentle and loving demeanor.

The team at Gulf Coast Village saw the need for pet therapy and quickly embraced the idea of Jack’s daily visits to the community. In May 2015, after celebrating his first birthday, Jack became a full-fledged Therapy Pet Dog, certified and insured by Therapy Dogs Incorporated through Cape Coral Hospital.

Following his certification, Jack and Laura began visiting residents in Gulf Coast Village’s Assisted Living and Memory Care residences, as well as residents in the hospital and hospice.

Kitten season floods local shelters with 100s of adoptable cats

Residents of Gulf Coast Village quickly took to Jack, and now that Roger and Jack are working together, Laura arrives with Jack in tote five days a week. Roger picks him up from Laura’s office at 8 a.m. each day, and takes him to visit residents in all care levels, frequently stopping by group exercise classes, such as Tai Chi, Yoga, Better Balance, Let’s Have a Ball and Zumba.

Roger and Jack’s visits have become a routine within the community, and the duo create a heartwarming sight. Wherever they go, smiles are sure to follow, and it is easy to see how greatly Jack impacts residents.

“It has been a goal of mine for over 20 years to have a therapy dog, and I could never have imagined just how instrumental Jack could be sharing his daily love with all at Gulf Coast Village,” Laura said. “My heart is full of happiness when I see the two of them walking around the community, and others are sharing in the joy they provide.”

Roger has been a member of the Gulf Coast Village community for three years with his wife, Irene. A retired veterinarian who owned three veterinary hospitals in Michigan before he retired in 1977, Roger was the first Gulf Coast Village resident to meet Jack as a puppy, before he became a trained therapy dog.

From the time they met, Roger and Jack had an instant connection, and after observing their heartwarming relationship, Laura encouraged Roger to become a certified handler for Jack.

Lee Kids Tax considered by county

As Roger and Jack stroll down the halls of Gulf Coast Village, residents stop their daily activities to pat Jack on the head, or give a belly rub. The pup is equally excited to visit with each and every resident that intercepts their path, and the residents enjoy seeing his loving energy.

While he is excited from the minute he enters the front doors, Jack remains very gentle with the residents he visits. Jack maintains a natural ability to perceive which residents will want to say hello, and Roger always asks for the resident’s permission before Jack begins to visit.

Jack offers comfort to residents, family members and even employees, and Roger and Laura have seen the positive impact this dog has made on the quality of life for residents of Gulf Coast Village.

“I walk down the hall with Jack and they all say ‘Hi Jack!’ ” Roger said. “Jack enjoys doing it and they love it.”

“I could get another dog, but it would never be like Jack,” Laura said.