For the last three years, the township resident and her dog Molly have been doing volunteer Saturday spirit boosting sessions at The Gardens At Wayne. Molly, a 4-year-old chow mix, is a licensed pet therapy dog certified by Therapy Dogs International (TDI) of Flanders.

Molly amuses those she meets through treat taking, petting, tail waging, and shaking paws. Regular visits from therapy dogs elevate the mood of the facility in general and specifically with the staff and residents’ family members, according to TDI.

At the anniversary session, Sept. 27, Del Carpio entertained about 40 people with Molly and was assisted by her daughter Marlene. The celebration included singing by Joan Gardner of Westwood and Kadisha Grant of Washington Township, accompanied by Russ Davis on keyboards.

For two hours, Del Carpio and Molly entertained the seniors. Upon this reporter’s arrival, Del Carpio was dancing with resident Charles Sieger, who said he found the experience uplifting.

"I haven’t danced in years. I used to when I was younger. How do I look?" he asked, about moving to the music.

Ilse Miller, a Gardens of Wayne resident, said she, like many of her colleagues, enjoys visits from Del Carpio and Molly.

"Every week she comes on Saturdays. We always look forward to her visits. We always have fun downstairs in the lobby there with the dog."

At the end, the residents enjoyed refreshments and signed a poster congratulating Molly on her 150th visit, which was made by a Montclair Community Pre-K class taught by Christine Caputo and Melanie Constantino. The creation came about after Constantino, Del Carpio’s neighbor, heard about the 150th visit milestone.

Kristie Ramos, Gardens At Wayne activities director, said Del Carpio’s upbeat personality is an asset to the program.

"She’s always very positive," she said. "She’s always very happy."

Ramos said Del Carpio and Molly are very popular at The Gardens At Wayne. She said Del Carpio’s pet therapy, unlike other versions, emphasizes social contact with the residents. She said the seniors miss Del Carpio and Molly when, on occasion, they have to skip a Saturday.

Ramos also said the golden agers delight in the extras.

"She brings refreshments. She brings fresh fruits for them. She bakes this apple cake, and the residents love it every week. And she brings cheeses for them to feed the dog."

Del Carpio originally came to The Gardens At Wayne on private pet therapy visits for one of the residents, Ramos said, adding that it then expanded to group presentations for residents.

In a later interview, Del Carpio said she loves doing pet therapy.

"I enjoy it. If you are making people happy, that makes me happy. When you see the faces of the people light up, smile, and talk to the dog, you realize there’s something there."

Del Carpio said Molly never needs any prodding.

"My dog looks forward to coming," she said, about going to The Gardens. "As soon as she sees her bandana, she hops in the car. That’s why she’s made for this."

In addition to The Gardens, the duo goes to Wayne View Nursing Home every last Sunday of the month. They have gone twice to The Gardens At Emerson and have done sessions at the YM-YWHA in Wayne.

Del Carpio said Molly exhibits her people skills on routine dog walks.

"We walk in the morning over an hour together. We’re a good team. People actually stop me when I’m walking in the park, and say, ‘What kind of dog is she?’ She’ll give her paw to everybody."

Given pet therapy’s benefit to humans, she said she’ll continue her volunteer service for a long time to come.

For more information about pet therapy, contact Del Carpio at 973-890-7556 or