NASHUA – For nearly four years, the residents at Langdon Place of Nashua have been receiving a kind of therapy that goes far beyond any medication.

It is impossible for residents not to smile when therapy dog Andrei, affectionately known as Andy, meanders down the hallway of the assisted living facility on East Dunstable Road.

However, this English Cream Golden Retriever provides much more than smiles and laughter.

“Residents who rarely speak will have full conversations with Andy,” said Denise Blair, spokesperson for Langdon Place. “We don’t know exactly what Andy says back to them, but we are pretty sure it conveys happiness and encouragement. Andy is able to gently interact with our residents in a meaningful way by picking up cues, reading body language and responding to commands.”

Blair said Andy’s owner, Debbie Kroll, a retired Registered Nurse, understands the value of pet therapy, which is becoming increasingly popular. Blair described it as an “evidenced based, non-pharmacological approach to dementia-related behaviors.”

Andy’s profound social skills were immediately recognized when he first visited Langdon Place at just eight weeks old.

“He was a beautiful puppy,” said Kroll.

During that time, Kroll spent hours on end working with the young pup to complete Basic and Intermediate Obedience classes and earn his Canine Good Citizen Certificate from Hudson K-9 Training. By the time Andy was two years old, he and Kroll passed the test given by the Pets and People Foundation to become certified as a Pets and People Therapy Team.

Kroll said Andy has a way of knowing who needs his help the most and takes it upon himself to find those residents.

“Anybody who is worried or having a bad day — they just forget it,” she said.

In addition to their work at Langdon Place, Kroll and Andy also volunteer at local hospitals, schools and businesses.