COEUR d’ALENE — A special, four-legged guest sat in the front row of a Kootenai County courtroom Tuesday afternoon, patiently observing the proceedings.

Isaac, a “comfort dog,” is part of Spokane Valley-based Lutheran Church Charities’ dog ministry. The Golden Retriever’s job is to bring a calming influence wherever he goes, allowing people to open their hearts and receive help. 

This week, he visited Veterans Treatment Court in Kootenai County. The program supports veterans facing criminal charges who also live with a drug or alcohol dependency or a mental health or trauma-related condition. The program’s treatment providers, staff and mentors are also veterans. 

“Isaac is here to give a certain amount of comfort to these mentee defendants,” said Joe Deacon, mentor coordinator for Veterans Treatment Court. “This is a stressful situation for them.” 

Isaac did just that as program participants faced First District Judge Tristan Poorman, who administers the program, and discussed the challenges and successes they’ve experienced since last month’s hearing. 

Some read aloud essays they’d penned about their life stories and what led them to the program. They shared how they’re faring in treatment, how they’re managing their obligations at work and at home and how they’re coping with life’s stresses. 

“That dog back there is calming me down like you wouldn’t believe,” one veteran told the judge. 

Deacon said Lutheran Church Charities comfort dogs have helped many veterans in North Idaho. 

“They are sort of a fixture within the Kootenai County veteran community,” he said. “They attend a lot of events and bring a lot of joy.” 

Deacon knows this firsthand. 

“Isaac is my buddy,” he said. “I’ve been traveling with him for the past few years.” 

In 2024, Deacon and his two brothers flew to Washington, D.C., to be honored for serving in the military during the Vietnam War. Isaac was there, too. 

William Hager, Isaac’s handler, said the dog’s presence reassures veterans on these Honor Flights. 

Deacon said bringing Isaac to court is one way community members are supporting both program participants and their mentors. He added that a nonprofit called Friends of the Veterans Court is in place to allow community members to contribute directly. 

“We want to recruit and take care of the mentors,” Deacon said. 

    Mentors help support Veterans Treatment Court participants. Back: Jonathan Wheeler, Mike Borrows, Robert Kasun, Jim Maryme. Middle: Kenneth McAnally, Bob Smee, Joe Deacon, Roger Rudd. Front: Isaac the Golden Retriever, William Hager.