Talk a walk with your furry friend during Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast’s walk on Friday, Sept. 25

By TIM HIRSCH
of the Sun

Pet owners in South Tillamook County have the chance to walk, trot, gallop or hop with beloved pups during the “World’s Largest Pet Walk” on Friday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Sitka Sedge Natural Area, located three miles north of Cape Kiwanda.

The actual walk starts at 11 a.m. and will feature a team of local residents leading a walk with Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast in an effort to raise awareness about the health and wellness benefits of walking with pets. Participants should plan on arriving at 10 a.m.

Advance notification is encouraged. Call organizer Katharine Harding at 503-392-3028 to let her know you’re coming.

Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast is a Community Partner of the nationwide Pet Partners program, which has provided animal-assisted therapy for four decades by registering therapy dogs and other animal companions.

Pets as Therapy

Participation will support Pet Partners’ Therapy Animal Program from Florence to Neskowin.

Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast does this by visiting area hospitals and putting a smile on people’s faces through visits with trained pets — almost all of which are dogs. It’s a sharing of love that Katharine Harding, of Neskowin, has been participating in for 18 years.

Now on her third trained dog, Toby, she says that of all her volunteer efforts over the years, this one has been the most rewarding.

“Through these visits, we bring comfort to all the people that are in the hospital,” she told the Sun. “Science has shown that people’s stress levels go way down when they’re petting an animal, and studies show that blood pressure markers go down.”

And the therapy shows in the faces and hearts of patients.

“They’re so grateful that we take the time to go in,” Harding added. “It sort of takes them out of the hospital environment for a few minutes. The power of it is in its simplicity. What could be better than sharing a dog I love with people? They get so much delight from it and just smiles all over the place.”

She also gives the organization kudos for its pet evaluation program.

“What sets Pet Partners apart from a lot of other organizations is they’ve really created this gold standard for evaluating (pets and their handlers) every two years,” Harding said, adding the 45-minute evaluation asks the dog to remain calm in situations like busy hospital corridors, crowded hallways and lunch trays dropping or people raising their voices.

“It’s part obedience, but a lot of it is temperament,” she said. “They’re evaluating the handler as much as they are the dog.”

A Variety of Ways to Support

Those that cannot join the walk but wish to support the effort can learn more or donate by visiting https://p2p.onecause.com/wlpw/team/pet-partners-of-the-oregon-coast-3.

“What has been fun at previous events was the sharing stories of different experiences handlers have had with their dogs,” Harding said. “It’s also a chance for people to ask questions and an opportunity to raise awareness.”

Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast, which is an affiliate of the Pet Partners national organization, currently has members from Florence to Neskowin. Nationally, the organizations has been an ongoing effort since the early 1990s. It now features 15,000 teams across the U.S.

Tax-deductible donations can be made online by visiting where those interested can also find more information about the organization. Donations will also be accepted at the event. Funds will be used to help Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast.

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