ROTTWEILERS may have had a bad press as vicious or unpredictable dogs.

But for residents in a Gwent care home, one Rottweiler is proving to be just what the doctor ordered.

Eight-year-old Boris is a gentle giant - a Pets As Therapy dog .

Owner Pat Williams, of Meadow Close, Pengam, takes him to the Millbrook Residential Homing in Pontllanfraith, where Boris is petted by the elderly people and fed tit-bits.

The aim is to reduce stress and help the residents recover from any ailments they may have.

Boris is the only male Rottweiler out of 4,000 PAT dogs on the organisation's books.

Mr Williams says Boris - who also takes part in obedience competitions - really enjoys his visits to the home and knows where he is going as soon as his special PAT coat is brought out.

"He even gives the residents Christmas and Easter cards, sends them postcards when he goes on holiday and sends the ladies Valentine cards as well.

"We decided to train Boris as a therapy dog when he was about six months old," said Mr Williams."

"We could see in him then that he loved being fussed by people and children. He has a very loving nature and loves being touched by humans."

He adds, however, that Boris is a guard dog."He would protect these residents if necessary.

"Boris being a Rottie is unique as a therapy dog. Most therapy dogs are either labradors or Golden Retrievers."

Matron Claire Porter says the residents really look forward to Boris' visits."

He even goes up to see some of the residents in their bedrooms," she said.

"But we have to keep him apart from our residents' cat, Lucky."

Resident Ivy Davies, who is 85, added: "Boris is really lovely - none of us are at all scared of him. He comes round to us all and gives us his paw, and we give him a tit-bit."

Mr Williams owns two other PAT dogs - Rottweiler Katie, who visits Glan-yr-Afon home in Fleur-de-Lys and Golden Retriever Heidi, who visits a home in Ynysddu.