COEUR d’ALENE — After more than six years of bringing calm and support to people in Kootenai County and even farther afield, Isaac the comfort dog finished his last assignment Tuesday.

The 8-year-old Golden Retriever visited Veterans Treatment Court, a program supporting veterans who are facing criminal charges and 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 part of Spokane Valley-based Lutheran Church Charities’ dog ministry. Dogs like Isaac visit schools, hospitals, shelters, assisted living facilities and events and facilities connected to the area’s veteran community. 

“His sole purpose is to help people who are under stress to relax,” said Bob Sanders, Isaac’s handler. 

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

“Thank you for bringing him,” one participant told Sanders while petting Isaac. 

Another participant graduated from the program Tuesday. He called Veterans Treatment Court “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change.” 

“I was running from myself,” he said, adding that he had struggled with trauma that stemmed from his military service and his childhood. “This program offered me the opportunity to face it.” 

After the graduation, program participants and staff shared in another celebration, this one marking Isaac’s retirement. The dog received a certificate and a challenge coin commemorating his service.

Until this point, Sanders said, Isaac worked six days a week — more than some humans. In addition to providing comfort to those in need locally, Isaac has also supported veterans in distress during Honor Flights and at memorials in Washington, D.C., sharing the kind of love that only a dog can give to those who carry physical and emotional wounds from conflict. 

“He’s totally nonjudgmental,” Sanders said. “He loves everyone. He doesn’t see people the way humans sometimes do.” 

Miriam Deuel, a handler with the comfort dog program, said that serving veterans, service members and first responders is part of the church’s mission. 

“Those are things that are close to the heart of Lutheran Church Charities,” she said. 

Sanders agreed. 

“This is God’s love being brought to the people,” he said. 

Isaac’s retirement is the beginning of a new journey for another comfort dog. 

Fisher, a 2-year-old dog, was recently placed at Christ the King Lutheran Church. She has a team of 10 handlers and 11 ministry partners who are trained to take her into the Coeur d’Alene community, wherever she is needed. 

“The community in Coeur d’Alene has already embraced her,” said Deuel, one of Fisher’s handlers. 

Comfort dog visits are free. Those interested in inviting Fisher for a visit can email [email protected]. 

“There’s nothing too small,” Deuel said. “If we can show up, we will.” 

The Veterans Treatment Court is looking for volunteer mentors. In the program, a trained veteran mentor is paired with a treatment court participant to provide support as they navigate the treatment court program. 

“We are about at capacity and we only have about half as many mentors as we do participants,” Poorman said.

To volunteer or learn more, contact Buddy Winters, Veterans Treatment Court coordinator, at 208-446-1099 or [email protected]. 

    Isaac, an 8-year-old Golden Retriever and part of Lutheran Church Charities’ dog ministry, has retired after six years of service in North Idaho.