ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The Rev. Billy Graham was admitted into Mission Hospital in Asheville for observation late Friday after tripping over one of his three dogs at his home in Montreat, N.C.

Physicians reported that X-rays showed no broken bones and he was released at about 4 p.m. Saturday.

Doctors offered Graham the choice of being released or remaining in the hospital overnight for additional observation. He chose to stay rather than make the trip back home, due to the lateness of the hour.

His nurses said that Graham had an uneventful night, was able to sleep and has since been sitting up in a chair and taking full meals.

Graham’s personal physician, Dr. Lucian Rice, confirmed the fall should not pose a setback for the 89-year-old evangelist.

“Of course we worry any time a patient takes a fall, especially an older patient,” Rice said. “But while Mr. Graham is somewhat bruised, with some extremely sore muscles, he seems to have suffered no serious injuries, and in fact he was able to work on his physical therapy regimen first thing the next morning. I am encouraging him to remain as active as possible, but to be mindful of his dog, who likes to keep faithfully at his feet. I expect Mr. Graham to recover fully.”

The 89-year-old evangelist has had several previous hospitalizations at Mission, most recently in February 2008 for elective replacement of the brain shunt that maintains normal pressure within his head.

Graham will celebrate his 90th birthday on Nov. 7.