Therapy Tortoise Provides Comfort to Patients

The therapy tortoise has helped patients at the 42-bed facility cope with their injuries and disabilities.

Residents at a northwest Florida nursing home have a rather young β€” and unusual β€” roommate.

Shelly is a 20-year-old African Spur Thigh Tortoise and has served as a therapy animal at Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the past two years, NBC affiliate WJHG reported.

"They will come and befriend Shelly and come out and greet Shelly every day and make it part of their routine,” said Brandy Meredith, an employee at the center and Shelly's caretaker.

The therapy tortoise has helped patients at the 42-bed facility cope with their injuries and disabilities. Some patients stay there temporarily as they recover from knee and hip replacements, but others remain permanently. They appreciate having Shelly there all the more.

Long-term patient Winnie Ruthbrookshire planted a garden in the center's courtyard where Shelly lives that's filled with his favorite foods.

β€œWe’re just blessed to have something like that and to be able to see it [Shelly] and be one of our friends,” Ruthbrookshire told WJHG.

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