Aladdin was found three years ago starving and badly abused. Now, he gives comfort to patients and nursing students.
CAMDEN -- Exams are never fun, especially for students pursuing careers in medicine. This week, the students at Our Lady of Lourdes School of nursing are in the thick of preparing for their exams, being tested on everything they've learned so far.
With that in mind, an instructor at the school, Wanda Broach-Butts, decided to offer first-semester students the kind of comfort only a pet could provide. Aladdin, who was found three years ago starving and badly abused, is a certified therapy dog who visited the nursing students on Wednesday afternoon.
"Aladdin is a special dog," said his owner, Michele Schaffer-Stevens. "He snuggles, he'll be quietly there when someone prays, and he happily spends time with patients and their family members. It's a moving experience to witness. He just senses sadness and pain, and instinctively knows when someone needs support. He gently reminds people to treat everyone with kindness."
Aladdin has an impressive resume. He was a certified therapy dog within a year of his rescue, and is a model for a nationwide animal abuse campaign, Show Your Soft Side. Among his other titles are Ronald McDonald House ambassador dog, a 2016 Hero Dog Award nominee and the subject of a Temple University study on the effects of therapy dogs for special needs students.
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find NJ.com on Facebook.