Gentle Ben is his name—and helping juveniles is his game. Gentle Ben is a huge, brown Newfoundland, tipping the scales at 165-pounds of furry, nurturing love. Gentle Ben is owned and handled by Pat Dowell, a former police officer. As a team, they provide healing, nurturing therapy to juvenile delinquents in Washington State as a part of the Delta Society’s Delta Pet Partners.

 In the Delta Society’s Vol. 19, No 2, 2001 newsletter Interactions, an article titled “The New Role of Dogs in Correctional Facilities,“ by Joan Dalton, talks about Gentle Ben and his terrifically important work.

“On the other side of the Columbia River, in the State of Washington, is the Clark County Juvenile Center where Delta Pet Partners Pat Dowell and her 165-pound Newfoundland Ben visit selected youth in the detention center at least once a week.

 ”Ben is always neatly groomed and wears his blue and white bob along with proper identification when he passes through the metal detector at the center. He is a star attraction and clearly enjoys the attention from the people in the waiting room.

 ”On this particular day, Ben and Pat have been assigned to work with Toni-an articulate 15-year-old girl with a history as a runaway.

 ”When asked what caused her to leave home, she answered, ‘I couldn’t get along with my mom. She gets stressed from work and my dad beat me and my dog.’

Toni coped with her home situation by running away

 ”When she ended up in the detention center, she met Ben and formed a bond. Toni was depressed when she first met Ben, but he just came and sat by her, waiting for a response. Now Toni says of their relationship, ‘I can talk to Ben and he won’t tell anyone. I like big dogs because they make me feel protected.’

 ”Today Toni is getting good grades and wants a career working with animals and computers.”

Gentle Ben is one of six dogs awarded recognition in the national Pedigree-sponsored “Paws to Recognize” award for service dogs. Ben and a Beagle who sniffs for  a living received the most number of votes.

Tags: Clark County Juvenile Center, Delta Pet Partners, Delta Society, dogs in correctional facilites, Gentle Ben

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