Contributed By: Furry Friends Therapy Dogs

Furry Friends Therapy Dogs was founded by a group of like-minded persons who were involved in visits to several local caregiving facilities. This venture, in time, evolved into an organization which, in addition to visiting various facilities, recruits, evaluates and trains other volunteers and their dogs for therapy work.

It has long been demonstrated that the comforting interaction between animals, dogs in particular, and humans have lessened, and even alleviated, some of the many afflictions associated with aging, depression, poor health, hospital stay or confinement in rehab facilities.

Our visits now include most all the assisted living facilities, Lifecare, Avamere, BAH, Bay Area Hospital Cancer Center, Coquille Valley Hospital, Southern Coos Hospital in Bandon. We also have visits to Myrtle Point Care Center. We visited many kindergarten classes (prior to Covid). We lost many dogs and people and we are now rebuilding our ranks; we hope to be in the schools again in fall of 2025. We have a wonderful flip chart to teach them about responsible dog ownership. We spent the summer at the Farmer’s Market in Coos Bay to reach out to new teams.

Our group became a non-profit organization in 2004. We are now celebrating 20 years of service!

Furry Friends Therapy Dogs is open to persons and their companion dogs that are dedicated to the purpose and goals of our organization.

For more information please contact Wendy Rudder, Secretary, Furry Friends Therapy Dogs at 541.267.7427.