AIKEN --- Betty Minor, a resident at Azalea Woods Nursing Home in Aiken, broke into a smile when she rounded the corner in her motorized wheelchair and spotted the three dogs.

"Hi, I haven't petted you yet," the 62-year-old woman said as she reached down with an arthritic hand to pet the friendly white boxer named Gerhardt.

The 10-year-old rescued dog, with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth in a doggie grin, is eager for the attention.

Gerhardt, along with his companions Savannah, a Labrador mix, and Charlie, a cocker spaniel, are all rescued dogs and are part of the Aiken SPCA Pet Therapy program.

Pet therapy animals visit with people in nursing homes and medical facilities. Their focus is simply to offer love and comfort.

Joanne Rittenhouse, Gerhardt's owner, has been involved with the pet therapy program for six years.

"Some of these residents get to be like family," she said. "A lot of them, when they come into nursing homes, have to give up their pets, and with some this is the only visit they get."

Down the hallways the dogs go with their owners in tow, searching room to room for someone to visit.

Lillian Lee, a 93-year-old resident with one arm wrapped in gauze because of a recent fall, grins as the dogs enter her room. She pets each animal as the dogs sidle up to her, eager for their turn.

"You can see how happy the residents are when they see the dogs," Ms. Rittenhouse said.

And some of the dogs, like 8-year-old Charlie, who was tied to a tree most of his life, have found a new purpose -- to bring a smile to the faces of those who need their unconditional love.

"They know what they're doing," Ms. Rittenhouse said. "They know they're at work, and they're on a mission."