Pet Partners spread love in Sisters

Dale and Irene Coats with Lucky. Photo by Rongi Yost

Dale and Irene Coats, along with their golden retriever Lucky, are spreading a little unconditional love in the Sisters area.

The Coats obtained Lucky just a little over a year ago, after they lost both of their golden retrievers to cancer. "Lucky was so mellow, easy going and compassionate and really seemed to love people," said Dale.

Irene said, "Lucky had the greatest personality. He was so loving and we somehow wanted to use him to minister to other people. So, we took a Delta Society Pet Partner training course at COCC. Their mission statement is, 'animals helping people to a better quality of life.'"

The animals and their human partners enhance that quality of life by visiting the ill and the disabled.

Pet Partners is a perfect name because the dog and owner have to work as a team. Both owner and dog go through several weeks of training before they receive certification.

A few of the requirements of the exam for Lucky were:

• To be able to address other dogs without growling or hostility.
• To be able to handle a very restrained hug and not show resistance.
• To be able to obey commands the first time they're given.

"Lucky was placed in several role play situations to see how he would react," Dale said. "People bumped into him, crutches were thrown at his feet, patients yelled, and it seemed like major confusion."

Lucky passed the exam with flying colors and was one of the few dogs in Central Oregon who received a perfect score on the test. Lucky is now certified and qualified for "complex environments."

"This means he won't stress out when something unpredictable happens," said Dale. "He can be used in 911 situations, with patients who have Alzheimer's, in schools, with kids, or any other unpredictable environment.

"Lots of dogs are well trained but are still not suited for therapy. The temperament and gentleness of the dog plays such a big part."

Every Wednesday for the past three months, Dale and Irene have brought Lucky with them to Aspen Ridge and Alterra in Bend, both homes for Alzheimer's patients. Lucky visits up to 60 people during the course of the day. He is leashed and collared at all times.

The responses from patients vary. Many break out in huge smiles, some recall memories of their own pets from long ago. Some just enjoy petting the soft coat, and others hold Lucky and weep.

"It's just amazing what happens when people see and pet an animal," Irene said. "Many of the residents don't communicate so much with words but their eyes say so much. When their eyes meet mine it's like I can see into their soul. I just see the joy and for a few moments I know we've brought them some pleasure and happiness. In return, we feel so blessed in being able to bring joy to others."

Delta Pet Partners are used in many high profile situations. "Dogs were used in therapy for students after the shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield," Dale said. "One girl in particular hadn't been able to show any emotion. She made eye contact with the dog, bent down and hugged it close, and finally broke down and cried. Dogs were also used at Ground Zero at the end of the day to welcome firemen back and give them unconditional love."