PEABODY, MA – Fergie, a Portuguese water dog, is the new Renaissance Gardens neighborhood dog at Brooksby Village, and she has just received her ‘good canine citizenship certificate’ from Canine Consulting in Rowley, Mass. She is now one step closer to being certified as a therapy/social dog, which will allow her to enjoy extended visits with those who live at Renaissance Gardens.

“The act of petting a dog has been shown to lower blood pressure, boost a person’s mood, and enhance their social interaction,” said Deb Laflamme, sales manager at Renaissance Gardens at Brooksby Village and owner of Fergie. “Research shows that pets can add years to people’s lives. We are thrilled Fergie is now trained as a therapy/social dog and can now visit with people who live here.”

Some of Fergie's training and care is provided by the Renaissance Gardens pet fund, which was established in 2005 to help pay for the purchase and care of animals that help to create a warm and home-like environment for those who live at Renaissance Gardens.  

After hours and on weekends, the dog is cared for by Laflamme.