Nothing puts a smile on a child’s face like the company of a furry, four-legged friend.

Diane Rich, a licensed evaluator for the Delta Society and founder of the therapy dog program at Overlake Hospital, knows the power of healing a dog can bring. This summer, campers from all across the Northwest will attend Camp Korey in Carnation, a summer camp for kids suffering from serious to life threatening illnesses. Rich’s goal, along with other volunteers, is to introduce a new therapy animal program to help put a smile on the faces of the campers.

“There is nothing like the nonjudgmental wag, lick and affection from a pet to make everyone feel great,” she said.

Rich first met with a small staff from Camp Korey several years ago, prior to the purchase of the 818-acre Carnation Farm which is now home to the camp. She shared her experience with therapy animal programs and explained the benefits of introducing such a program to the future campers of Camp Korey.

Rich volunteered her time, services, and extensive knowledge of working with therapy animals to bring the vision to life. She is now in the midst of coordinating the program for this summer and recruiting therapy teams of dogs and their owners, along with other unique species of therapy animals including a llama and possibly a mini horse.

Rich is working closely with the Delta Society in Bellevue to develop the program for Camp Korey. The Delta Society is a human-services organization dedicated to improving people’s health and well-being through positive interactions with animals.

“I began the process of recruiting therapy teams in May and it’s been full court press since then,” she explained. “I’ve been hard at work getting the word out and selecting the ideal candidates for this summer’s program. There has been such an incredible response from pet owners and the community in whole.”

Rich will hold an onsite orientation on June 13 at Carnation Farms for those therapy teams who have qualified as applicants.

“Dog owners often assume because they have a nice dog or it’s well trained they are suited to be a therapy animal, but that’s not necessarily true,” she said. “Therapy animals and their owners need to undergo special training and certification. Bringing an animal into a camp environment is very different from visiting a hospital room. There are elements we can’t control such as the weather or an occasional squirrel nearby.”

There are approximately a dozen teams who will be attending the orientation for further evaluation.

Following the orientation, Camp Korey directors also will conduct their own application and interview process before allowing the therapy teams to participate in this summer’s camp running from mid July to mid-August.

“This is the first year we are implementing this program and our goal is to grow the therapy animal program and create a safe and fun environment at Camp Korey each summer,” Rich said. “The power of healing and the joy an animal can bring is indescribable. I hope to bring a little happiness into the lives of these kids any way I can.”

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.

For more information on Diane Rich, visit http://www.spokesdog.com/.