Volume 24 | JAN - JUNE 2026 | | |
Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast (PPOC), formerly known as Oregon Coast Therapy Animals, is a Community Partner of Pet Partners. A leading non-profit in the field of animal-assisted therapy for over four decades, Pet Partners registers therapy dogs and other animal companions, including horses, cats, rabbits, and birds.
Our visiting teams provide support, comfort and companionship to adults and children in institutional settings on the Central Oregon Coast, from Neskowin to Florence.
We welcome new members and opportunities to be of service to our coastal communities!
Contact us if you would like more information about arranging for a visiting team, or becoming a registered team with your animal companion!
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Congratulations to our New/Renewed
Registered Teams
| | Team Stacey & Chica became a Pet Partners Registered Team today! After 2 years of training and 2 unsuccessful tests, Chica is official as of June 29, 2026. | | Team Peggy & Maya renewed their Pet Partners Registration for another 2 years today. They drove an hour from Corvallis to test in Newport. What one does to be a Pet Partners Therapy Animal. Maya has another two years to make people smile. | | |
Pictured here are the volunteers who make each test possible. Evaluator, Caroline and evaluator assistants: Joanne, Bonnie, Brenda, and Sue & Lilly (neutral dog)
Today's tests were conducted at Samaritan Hospital in Newport following the guidelines of Pet Partners new Pilot Evaluation Testing. Eligible Evaluators can be a dog trainer, animal behaviorist, veterinarian/technician, or other animal-related professional in addition to a licensed Pet Partners Evaluator. Caroline (in the picture) is a dog trainer and animal behaviorist. We chose Samaritan Hospital as our facility for testing as many of our registered teams visit here on a regular schedule.
This Pilot Evaluation Testing was less stressful for everyone.
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Meet Team Susan & Lilly
STOP - DROP - READ
Team - Susan and Lilly, an English Pointer breed, read to the visitors at the
EARLY LEARNING CENTER in Lincoln City.
Interesting fact about Lilly: she is a service dog, as well as a Pet Partner Therapy dog. She knows how to behave depending on which vest she is wearing.
(Therapy, Support or Service Animals: What's the Difference)
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"Samaritan Week" at North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City Oregon
Team Susan & Lilly and Team Katharine & Toby greeted at least 37 employees during Samaritan Week honoring the staff.
Ice Cream treats and dog visits put a smile on everybody's faces.
Dogs, Lilly (white & brown dog is a young 13-year-old) & Toby smiled at each other (literally) and wagged their tails when they met at the front door. It was very sweet as they don't get to see each other very often since they visit on alternating days.
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Another successful day of therapy visits
Who would have thought that therapy visits would be soooo exhausting. Toby crashed on the couch and dreaming of those puppy days when he didn't have to go to work. Fortunately, Toby loves his therapy visiting job.
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Meet Team Kathy & Reilly
Team Kathy & Reilly, make new friends every time they visit. Could it be the delicious treats Reilly receives?
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National Cancer Survivors Day
The first Sunday of June is a day that is celebrated around the globe. This day honors people living with a history of cancer, celebrates their milestones and recognizes those who have supported them along the way.
Our teams pictured here, closed the event with wagging tails and happy faces for the attendees at the Newport National Cancer Survivors Day.
Click on the "National Cancer Survivors Day" button to read more about this annual event.
| | | Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast walked the parade with the Waldport Library float. The teams handed out candy to the youngsters along the parade. The dogs took the opportunity to say hello to the families on the curbsides. Great opportunity to practice their visiting skills. The dogs were very curious about the horses following behind them. | | | | |
The World’s Largest Pet Walk is an official Pet Partners walking event and signature fundraiser held during the month of September.
Click on the "Join Our Team" button below to join our team to receive further info. Team name is Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast.
More information will be added to our team page soon.
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Natalie & Maya
registered team
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Leslie & Titus
in training
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Chantelle & Bruno
in training
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Jazzper (Handler-Sonja)
in training
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Naomi & Little Bob
registered team
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Bob & Lynn with Atlas
in training
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Kirby (Handler-Bonnie)
6 months old. Goal is to evaluate midyear 2027
in training
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Duffey - Arriving soon
Handler Lindee
(picture is not Duffey only used to show type of dog to be adopted by Lindee)
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Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
Losing a pet can be a devastating experience, and it's essential to acknowledge the emotional impact it has on pet owners. Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast support our members with time to heal.
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Training Toolbox
Caroline Spark
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC)
CLICK ON Training Tips
to read Caroline's article
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*Thank you to our retired Treasurer-Lee Derbyshire. Lee will continue as a board voting member. *
*Welcome our new Treasurer - Bob Copeland*
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Current Board Members
President - Dr. Caroline Spark, PhD
Vice President - Katharine Harding
Treasurer - Bob Copeland
Secretary - Erica Fruh
Lindee Cunningham
Lee Derbyshire
Dr. Claire Lohn, DVM
Executive Director - Bonnie Rimola
About our Board Members
Board Meeting Schedule
#1 Qtr 2026 Business Apr 13, 2026
#2 Qtr 2026 Business Jul 13, 2026
#3 Qtr 2026 Business Oct 12, 2026
#4 Qtr 2026 Business Jan 11, 2027
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in finding out about opportunities for serving on the PPOC Board or volunteering your skills and talents in other ways.
please email Bonnie Rimola at oregoncoasttherapyanimals@gmail.com
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A BIG thank you to our Volunteer Photographer, James Tonick,
who is behind the scenes taking pictures of our teams to produce our Newsletter & Marketing materials
| | Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast recommends Instinct Dog Training | | | |
Pick of the Litter Thrift Store- the place to find gentle used toys for your pet.
The flagship of FOLCAS’s fundraising operations is the Pick of the Litter thrift store, opened in July 2009 in a building on the County Commons in Newport. Thanks to our ever-growing ranks of donors, shoppers, and volunteers, Pick of the Litter quickly became a thriving success, filled with with terrific bargains and fabulous finds, with new items every day.
After a five-month hiatus beginning in mid-March 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Pick of the Litter reopened on August 27, at our new
location at NE First & Fogarty.
All proceeds benefit both the Animal Shelter and FOLCAS programs to assist domesticated animals in Lincoln County.
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Non-Team members are important to the success of Pet Partners of the Oregon Coast. Your knowledge, talents and time are valuable assets needed to volunteer in the background operations of our group. If you are interested, contact us by email to become one of our many supporters. | |
You’ve felt it yourself—the undeniable boost you feel when you’re with your animal companion. PPOC volunteer teams share this gift with others, by bringing joy and improved outcomes to people in hospitals, schools, libraries, detention centers, court houses, assisted-living facilities and other community settings.
We’d love to have you join us. We'll help you get started and support you along the way.
| | Support Pet Partners with a Donation to honor or in memory of a loved one. | |
Did you know you can support Pet Partners with your donation in honor of a special loved one or in memory of that therapy dog that visited you during a hospital stay? Visit the Pet Partners website to donate today. | |
Do you have a question on a topic that would be of interest to our readership? Or a story? An idea for an article? A photo of your pet partner? Feedback on this newsletter?
Please don't hold back! And if writing isn't your thing, we can help. The work and the heart of our teams are what we want to feature. Help us make this newsletter a full reflection of the wonderful work of Pet Partners of Oregon Coast! And please forward to anyone who might be interested Thanks!
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