Bradley Bussen may be the “parent” of the little newcomer to Cherry Village Benevolence Inc., but he is sharing the joy of pet-hood with his extended family.

          Cherry Village is a long-term-care facility.

          Bussen recently adopted the 2-year-old Pomeranian from the Golden Belt Humane Society; he named the rescue dog Brandy after his sister and a fourth grade teacher.

          “I had a Pomeranian before,” said Bussen, formerly of Russell. “I really like this breed and other small dogs. They are best for me.”

          Bussen, 38, suffered a stroke in 2012 and has right-side paralysis. He said he is “high-functioning” and while he sometimes hesitates with verbal responses, he understands what people are saying.

          “I had been on my own before; it is hard,” he said, noting he came to Cherry Village directly from a Wichita hospital in August 2012.

          But if there is one thing that is making life a little easier, it’s Brandy.

          “Brandy is not just for me, though,” Bussen commented. “I like to show her to the other people here. Brandy helps them and she calms me down too. Cherry Village and the Humane Society stepped in at just the right time.”

          Bussen is no stranger to the Humane Society, where he serves as a volunteer dishwasher two days a week. “I like volunteering and giving back to the community,” he said.

          For the time being, Brandy spends the night at the home of Pam Lewis, Cherry Village administrator. When Brandy’s potty training is complete and Bussen moves into a private room, the dog will be a full-time Cherry Village resident.

          “All of our residents and staff are excited about this addition to our family,” Lewis said. “When I bring Brandy in each morning, she is greeted with a lot of smiles from everyone. She is a little bit of sunshine and too incredibly cute not to love.”

          Lewis noted that Cherry Village wants to do whatever it can to make the facility even more like home for its residents.

“Because of medical circumstances, some people in our community need the services we offer,” Lewis said. “But Cherry Village is just like a big house and we have become an extended family to one another.

“This is what our residents want and this is what our staff wants,” she elaborated. “Brandy is a good example of our staff and residents working together to make a positive impact. We are making life better for Bradley and others, as well as for one more living creature in this world. We cannot thank the Humane Society enough for all its help.”