MIDDLEBORO — Visitors come and go at the Middleboro Senior Center as participants take part in a range of activities. 

But one particular visitor draws instant attention and wide smiles when she arrives. 

Gracie is a six-year-old Golden Retriever/Chow Chow mix who visits the center each week with her owner Beth Mosher.

She is a certified therapy dog. Like all dogs who receive that certification, she has a friendly temperament, loves people and has good obedience skills. 

But another trait is equally important: She has an owner who enjoys bringing her into social settings. 

Mosher, who lives in Middleboro, worked as a visiting nurse before retiring. A lifelong animal lover and long-time dog owner, she also enjoys interacting with seniors.

She described her visits to the center as “a perfect scenario’’ that combines those two interests.

“I love it,’’ she said.

Based on the enthusiastic pats she received during a recent visit, the feeling is mutual.

“I think it’s great,’’ said Carol McGlymonds. By interacting with Gracie, she can see how well cared for Gracie is, she said, “and how sweet the dog is. We get to share that.’’

“We love the dog,’’ Barbara Goyette of Lakeville said. “She’s very nice.’’

Visits to seniors from therapy dogs are said to reduce risks of depression and feelings of loneliness and lessen anxiety levels. 

Gracie tends to elicit memories as well, Mosher said. Even outside of her center visits, she said Gracie often draws attention, including from older people who then share stories of dogs that had years ago.

In turn, Mosher said, people “love hearing stories’’ about Gracie.

Her visits are met with enthusiasm but Gracie, Mosher notes, stays relatively low-key. 

While some dogs do tricks, Gracie is happy to quietly soak in the attention while sitting or even lying on the floor.

“She’s a lazybones,’’ Mosher said with a laugh.