For 10 years, K-9 Angels have been visiting schools, hospitals and assisted living/nursing home facilities to give unconditional love and support to all ages and demographics. 

This wonderfully impactful ministry was established in 2012 by Ginny Spurlock, a retired educator, and Tanya Kingsley, an experienced dog trainer. 

Since its founding, the K-9 Angels has grown from three teams (each made up of a dog and handler) to more than 48 teams throughout Georgia’s Lake Country. This very special group of pups is affiliated with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), and the prospective “Angels” go through a six-week obedience class, complete a test, and have three on-site observations done by a certified tester/observer. Teams are able to travel to various locations to participate in therapy sessions. 

Studies have shown that therapy dogs can greatly reduce stress in college students during final exams, so the angels make a regular trek to UGA during finals week to visit with the students. 

“The look on the faces of these students when we visit and our dogs shower them with love is so heartwarming. I believe that God sends his angels to take care of us, and our K-9 group is made up of true angels- they just have four feet,” said Spurlock. 

Ann Maddox and her dog Shadow have been a part of the K-9 Angels for 10 years. Ann recalls a time when they met a lady who did not speak; however, when she met Shadow, she began to share stories of pets that she had owned years ago. 

“I am so grateful that I have been able to take my love for dogs and share that love with others,” said Maddox. 

Twice a month, K-9 Angels visit the Glen and the Harbor Assisted Living Facilities. A recent visit took them to Navicent Hospital in Milledgeville, where they interacted with the staff and patients. Medical personnel have endured so much stress during COVID, and the CEO of the hospital requested regular visits from the angels. 

The need for therapy dogs is great in the community and the process is simple. The dogs have to be fairly calm and good with other dogs. If you do a lot of work with your dog and exercise them regularly, they should be a good candidate for the therapy dog program. “My God-given dream was to be out in the community spreading love through our dogs,” Ginny adds. “Jesus tells us to ‘be his hands and feet’, and our K-9 Angels are definitely doing the Lord’s work, one paw at a time.” If you are interested in therapy work for your dog, visit the ATD web site: www.therapydogs.com. For more information on the K-9 Angels, contact Ginny Spurlock at lakepepl@att.net. Follow their Facebook Page at K-9 Angels.