VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Tuesday is National Animal Therapy Day and the health community in Virginia Beach is still reeling from the death of Skippy, a Yorkshire Terrier who gave over 2,000 volunteer hours visiting patients and staff at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital (SVBGH).
Skippy passed away in February of this year. Crowds of employees and community members gathered at SVBGH's healing garden to honor his memory. He was the lead therapy dog and the only dog allowed on the intensive care and behavior health units, according to SVBGH.
SVBGH hopes to continue his legacy with a new therapy dog that began training this weekend. He's a 12-week-old Silky Terrier aptly named Skippy Jr.
Sentara said Skippy Jr. must wait until his first birthday to get his therapy dog certification, but he's already getting started spending time with staff.
Bob Norville, Skippy and Skippy Jr.'s dad, along with a former patient and Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of SVBGH gathered at the hospital to talk about the importance of animal therapy, Skippy's legacy, and their hopes for Skippy Jr.