BAKER CITY, Ore. — There hadn’t been a 4-H dog club in Baker County for years — until 2022, when Kate Hill brought it back.
Ten years ago, when Kate was 5, a border collie puppy joined her family. Since then, Kate and Meg have been best friends and 4-H partners.
“We hope to gain awareness about dog 4-H and what it’s all about. People can work with their dogs on manners and different things, so they’re creating good canine citizens.”
Now, Kate is training Meg to become a therapy dog through Pet Partners, a nonprofit that provides educational resources and registration for therapy animals. According to Pet Partners’ data, Kate and Meg will be the first to register as a therapy volunteer team in Baker County once they complete the training and evaluation.
Meg has been an enormous support in Kate’s life while she has dealt with depression and anxiety. She’s always by Kate’s side and cheering her up.
“She’s been my dog since forever, and I’m definitely her person,” Kate said. “She always makes me feel a lot better. I thought it’d be a good thing to train her and help people who also struggle with mental health.”
Human-animal bonding
Kate’s work with Meg on obedience, manners and basic training began around the same time she proposed reviving the dog club in Baker County.
Angela Robb, Kate’s 4-H leader, supported the idea. Robb assigned Kate several tasks to ensure the dog branch could operate under the JQ’s Livestock Club, which Kate belongs to. The last obstacle was the lack of a dog club leader — then Kate’s mom, Dana Hill, stepped in to help.
Under Dana’s leadership, the dog club has grown to seven members and now organizes annual parades and dog costume contests for the community.
“We hope to gain awareness about dog 4-H and what it’s all about,” Dana said. “People can work with their dogs on manners and different things, so they’re creating good canine citizens.”
This year, Kate and Meg have earned several certificates from the American Kennel Club, including Canine Good Citizen, Advanced Canine Good Citizen and the AKC Novice Trick title. These tests require dogs and their handlers to complete a checklist of tasks such as walking on a loose leash, passing distractions and holding a sit-stay at a distance.
Becoming a therapy dog takes the training to another level. Kate and Meg have been learning to avoid distractions from loud noises, get used to wheelchairs and elevators, and practice the “paws up” command so a person in a hospital bed can reach Meg to pet her.
These skills help Meg stay calm and friendly in environments such as hospitals and classrooms filled with children.
“Meg is the sweetest dog. She’s mellow, well-behaved, never overreacts,” Robb said.
Robb is the administrative office manager at the Oregon State University Extension Service office in Baker County. She has been Kate’s 4-H leader since Kate joined the JQ’s Livestock Club and has worked with her on beef projects.
Robb said Kate’s efforts have strengthened her belief in the power of the human-animal bond. While Robb’s daughter has struggled with mental health challenges, her family dog has also been an important source of comfort. Robb said she has also seen Kate help her daughter build emotional bonds with dogs, easing stress and anxiety.
Bonding with community
Since Kate and Dana started the dog club, Robb said more kids have shown interest in working with their dogs, and several have earned certification through the AKC Canine Good Citizen program under the guidance of Dana and Kate.
“Kate is helping these kids form friendships that maybe they wouldn’t have had in school,” Robb said. “When the kids joined the 4-H club, they were here to learn about dogs, but within months, they are hanging out, doing community events and genuinely enjoying spending time with each other.”
At the JQ’s Livestock Club, Robb describes Kate as a natural leader who “helps everyone without even thinking twice about it.” The club includes about 50 youths, and Kate, one of the older members, regularly teaches younger members dog and steer knowledge and show-training tips with patience.
Kate’s high school teacher and FFA advisor, Nicole Merchant, said she looks forward to seeing Kate and Meg complete their therapy dog training and would welcome Meg into her classroom to support students’ mental health.
“There’s tons of research out there that shows animals are a very positive thing and make people feel a lot better,” Merchant said. “Kate has really helped a lot of her peers through some of those gloomier times.”
While working on the training, Kate and Dana have reached out to stores, hospitals and schools in the area to see whether they would welcome Meg as a volunteer therapy dog, and a dozen places have agreed. Kate hopes Meg can start by visiting hospitals and her high school.
For now, Kate is focused on finishing her training. She has completed most of the required modules, with three remaining before her in-person evaluation.
“It keeps me busy and gives me something to look forward to,” Kate said. “It makes us all feel good to have Meg help others in the community.”
If you are interested in learning more about dog 4-H in Baker County, please contact Baker County 4-H at 541-523-6418 or email [email protected].
