Cove program uses dogs in community outreach

By: Bethany Fuller | Mooresville Tribune
Published: November 16, 2009

MOORESVILLE — Despite a lot of loud banging and people running around yelling, Buttercup didn't yelp or run away.

She was a little bit curious, though, as she sniffed around the wheelchair Kelly Ratcliff was sitting in during her five-minute audition for Dogs In God's Service at the Cove Church.

"I know a lot of people who are going to like you," said Ratcliff, a dog training expert and one of the founders of D.I.G.S.

Buttercup's owner, George Barnett, is new in town and saw the ministry as a good opportunity to get involved with the church.

Buttercup hasn't had formal training, Barnett said, but still has a lot to offer.

"She's a good dog," he said. "A lot of people respond to animals. It helps them to heal quicker."

The purpose of the auditions is to make sure the canines that travel to Summit Senior Living, W. G. Hefner Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Salisbury, Churchill Senior Living Community and Barium Springs Home for Children, will be friendly and aren't aggressive, said Rebekah Julian, a veterinarian with Lazy Five Veterinarian Hospital in Salisbury.

Julian, Ratcliff and Ray Hughes have organized the monthly visits since January 2008.

Residents in the long-term care facilities always ask for them to come back, and not to forget them the next month, Julian said.

"I take my children with me," she said. "The residents love the children and the dogs."

Sometimes, the dogs visit the residents in the hallway after a short devotional in the main lobby. Ratcliff emphasized to the new recruits that when they are visiting a nursing home, it is important to keep the animals and the residents safe.

"Keep in mind, they love us as much as the dogs," he said.

Before the dogs start licking seniors' hands and faces, they will have to undergo a certification process designed by the ministry. D.I.G.S has 100 certified dogs in its program.

Ratcliff said the ministry is a way to share their love of dogs and God.

"God loves us as unconditionally as our dogs love us," he said.

Huntersville resident Gay Rudicill said she really enjoys being around older people and children. She is happy she gets to have the opportunity to take her dog "Bodie" to cheer people up.

"I'm so pleased that they are doing this at the church," she said. "It's just a very wonderful way to share the joy I have with other people."