A Gentle Presence in the Hardest Moments

How therapy dogs bring comfort to patients in Bonner and Boundary counties

By Like Media Team

There are moments in hospice care when a quiet presence becomes more powerful than conversation. A dog settling beside a patient or resting its head on someone’s knee can shift the atmosphere in a way nothing else can. That sense of calm is at the center of Bonner General Community Hospice’s Volunteer Therapy Dog Program. After a pause during the Covid years, the program has been carefully rebuilt. It is now growing with renewed purpose and a clear understanding of how meaningful this work is for patients, families, and caregivers.

When the program was reinstated, it was modeled after Partners in Care in Central Oregon, an organization known for its strong therapy dog network. The structure made sense for Bonner General Community Hospice, which had long seen how comforting animals can be in stressful or emotional moments. Program lead Lynne Slauson explains it simply. “We have seen tremendous peace and joy, the impact animals have had for our clients, their families, and for our children at our annual Kids Grief Camps.” The decision to bring therapy dogs back was driven by experience rather than theory. Staff and volunteers already knew what dogs could do for those navigating end of life.

The benefits of therapy dogs are both physical and emotional. Their presence can help lower blood pressure, ease stress, and soften pain. They also reduce loneliness and encourage connection, especially for individuals who may struggle to communicate during difficult days. Families often feel the comfort as well, sharing moments of ease or joy that might otherwise feel out of reach. Even staff members notice the shift when a dog walks into a room. The environment becomes calmer and more grounded almost instantly.

Any dog considered for therapy work must have a gentle temperament and a natural interest in people. Formal certification is required, and the process is structured to ensure that both the dog and the handler are well prepared. Dogs must pass a handling test and complete a series of supervised visits, at least two of which take place in medical settings. A veterinarian health form and a background check for the handler are also required. Registration with a nationally recognized organization, such as Pet Partners or Alliance of Therapy Dogs, completes the process. The handler’s role is critical. Therapy work depends on a partnership built on trust, communication, and an ability to read the dog’s comfort level during visits. A dog may have natural instincts, but the handler provides the guidance necessary to keep everyone confident and safe.

Lynne knows this journey personally. Her path into therapy dog work began during her healthcare career, but it was her experience with her own mother’s end-of-life care that gave the work deeper meaning. Her Bernedoodle, Willa, demonstrated a remarkable ability to offer comfort during those final months. Staff at Partners in Care encouraged Lynne to get Willa certified because they recognized the same qualities she did. Once certified, Willa began volunteering in a variety of settings, including assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, memory care residences, and the Hospice House. Those visits shaped Lynne’s understanding of how profoundly animals can support patients and families.

One story stands out most clearly. Lynne and Willa spent several months visiting a patient they first met in assisted living. Each week, he greeted Willa with enthusiasm. The moment he saw her entering the room, he would lift his arms into the air and shout, “Willa the Magnificent.”  He shared stories about the dogs he had loved, his family, and the adventures he experienced as a private pilot. As his health declined and he moved to another facility, the visits changed, but the connection did not. Willa leaned gently against his legs or rested at his feet. They spent time watching television or sitting quietly together. When he woke from short naps, he always said the same thing. “It is such a comfort to have Willa here.” His family later requested that Willa be present at the moment of his passing. Lynne describes that experience as one of the greatest honors in her therapy dog work. “There is nothing that describes the pride mixed with humility when you see your dog in action. They just know what to do.”

Today, the program is also introducing a new team in training, offering a closer look at what it takes to become a therapy dog pair. Poppy is a five-year-old English chocolate lab with a natural sweetness and calm demeanor. Her handler, Katie Close, is a retired police officer and previously served as both a K-9 handler and a police chaplain. Their testing is taking place in Sandpoint, and once certified, they hope to volunteer in both Bonner and Boundary counties. Their work together reflects how approachable and rewarding the certification process can be for local dog owners.

Katie describes the testing experience as encouraging and approachable. “The testing process has been great so far. Lynne is easy to work with as an evaluator and very supportive of increasing the number of certified therapy dog teams in our area. Poppy's gentle and social nature, as well as her solid foundation of basic obedience, has made the process feel lowkey. The Alliance of Therapy Dogs website has videos of what to expect during testing, which was very helpful for our preparation.”

There are many ways for the community to support the Therapy Dog Program. Individuals can volunteer with or without a dog. Donations help support patient care and fund programs such as the Kids Grief Camp, which serves children who have experienced loss. Those interested in pursuing certification for their own dogs can begin the process through Pet Partners or the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Some volunteers choose to work through hospice, while others use their certification in different community settings.

Lynne recognizes that beginning this type of volunteer work can provoke slight anxiety at first. She encourages anyone considering it to reach out and ask questions. The hospice team walks volunteers through each step and helps determine whether therapy dog work is a comfortable fit for both dog and handler. She describes it as one of the most rewarding forms of service she has ever experienced.

The program's future holds significant potential. Therapy dogs can support reading programs in elementary schools, support emotional regulation practices for older students, support grief camps, and support wellness for medical staff. They can also offer comfort at community events where anxiety is common, such as clinics or blood drives. The reach is wide because the need for calm presence exists in many environments throughout the community.

At its core, Bonner General Community Hospice’s Therapy Dog Program is about kindness expressed through connection. It is about dogs like Willa, who step into emotional moments with compassion, and dogs like Poppy who are learning to do the same. Most of all, it is about the volunteers who choose to walk beside their neighbors during some of life's most tender experiences.

For anyone ready to learn more, volunteer, or explore therapy dog certification, Bonner General Community Hospice is ready to help them begin. Visit BonnerGeneral.org/services/hospice.