Red Cross Month is observed annually throughout March. All month, 10 On Your Side will be sharing inspiring stories that highlight how the humanitarian organization is making a difference.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Did you know the American Red Cross has an animal visitation program?

It was designed to support and uplift the country’s armed forces, veterans and military families as they battle stress, anxiety and the possibilities of what’s to come. It’s available nationwide and here locally from the Southside to the Peninsula.

“So a command or individual would reach out to the Red Cross with a request,” said longtime Red Cross volunteer Erin Strickland. “They would say what they were looking for, what the event was, how much time, how many people might be touched, and then how many teams they’d like. And then from there, the Red Cross team kind of does their administrative part of it, and then they put it in the volunteer connection.”

Those teams come accompanied with furry companions like the German shepherd Apollo, who Strickland adopted at nine months old.

“I think it’s all about the temperament,” she said. “There is no exclusion to any breed as long as it’s a well-behaved dog that’s capable of offering that support.”

Apollo is now 22 months old and is one of the many canines credentialed through the National Therapy Dog Organization and the Red Cross.

“He just didn’t have a lot of discipline,” Strickland said. “So we were able to get him therapy dog certified at 12 months, which is the minimum legal age to do that for therapy dogs, and then crisis certified at 16 months. And then we were off to the races. We are currently working probably 20-plus hours a week together, so we’re pretty close.”

Strickland has multiple sclerosis. Following her diagnosis, she was limited in ability to respond to what she called “sort of veterinary-type situations.” Her condition prompted her to get a service dog to assist with her mobility.

She said these dogs’ ability to help those in the military battling mental health issues is remarkable to witness. Whether it be individual or a group training, Strickland said there’s a therapy dog ready and available to make them feel cared for.

“When they walk away and say that was the best day ever,” she said, “we just them to feel heard and seen.”

For more information on the Animal Visitation Program, visit here.