MADILL, OK -- A dog rescued from an animal shelter over two months ago is now calling a Texoma nursing center his home. But as Katrina Gutierrez reports, this is more than a happy 'tale' for the canine. Both the residents and the dog are reaping the benefits of his presence.

This two-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback has had a hard life.

"He was treated badly in the past so we wanted to get him and give him a good home,” said Shelly Aljoe.

But now, that's changed. Shiloh was rescued and Shelly Aljoe took him in. Over the past eight weeks she trained him to become a service dog.

"This experience right here showed me that any dog given enough time, attention and training can be an excellent dog for anyone,” said Aljoe.

This week, Aljoe gave Shiloh to his new owners, residents at the Madill Brookside Nursing center. 78-year-old Virginia Spears said she's glad the center has a new pet.

"Oh I love him because I have a big dog at home that's half black Lab and half Rottweiler and his name is Sparky and I miss him,” said Spears ,”and so Shiloh fills the whole in my heart that I feel from missing Sparky."

Activities Director of the nursing home, Terri Weaver, said they got the dog so the center would feel like a true home for the residents. One staff member said once he gets fully adjusted, the nursing center may train him to assist visually impaired residents as well.

"The response has been great the residents love him he's a big dog with a big heart,” said Weaver, “and we have a lot of little hearts ready to except him."

And it's these little hearts that will benefit the most, according to health experts. Different studies show pets can help lower people's blood pressure, help you relax, and alleviate loneliness.

"I think the residents will respond well to Shiloh and have a more complete life with Shiloh I think he will make them happy," said Weaver.

"I really enjoy being with him and seeing him, petting him, he's a sweetheart,” said Spears.