“Barkley and I entered the Behavior Unit at Henry Mayo Hospital with some other dogs and handlers. As usual Barkley walked to each patient and greeted each one, until he reached the end. Then he immediately took me back to a man who had his head down and wouldn’t look at anyone. His hands rested on his legs, Barkley went up to him, got right in his face, the man still wouldn’t look up. Barkley gently pushed his hand with his muzzle, the man still ignored him. He gently pushed his hands again with his muzzle and I see the man smile. Barkley laid his head on his lap and the man talked to him. We all watched in amazement. Barkley knew this man needed him more than any of the others in the room.” -Sharon Rendall

Roger and Sharon Rendall have lived in Sand Canyon since 1987. Twenty years ago they bought their first Great Dane after seeing one at the pound (prior to that first Dane, they had always rescued dogs). The first Great Dane was a pet, then five years later they bought a show dog and began a long period of breeding and showing the dogs.

About seven years ago, after retiring from working in a pediatrician’s office, Sharon was pondering something she could do to give back to the community. When she saw an article about therapy dogs it began her trek with the Delta Society (deltasociety.org). She started with Barkley, training him as a show dog then training to the Delta test to become a therapy dog. He passed with high marks six years ago.

Sharon is now an evaluator for Delta Society, evaluating dogs’ temperaments for therapy training. The Rendalls have three active therapy dogs and one dog in training. Barkley and Sparky are father and son Great Danes who go to hospitals and participate in the R.E.A.D. program. Sophia is a Chihuahua who visits Summerhill Villas and the disabled kids at La Mesa Junior High and Buddy is a miniature pinscher – therapy dog in training. Also Barkley has been seen in a World Series of Poker commercial, and Sparky appears on the Eukanuba large breed dog food bag!

The City of Santa Clarita’s R.E.A.D. program has been in place for years, successfully offering remedial or ESL children a chance to practice reading in a non-threatening atmosphere. Held at the Community Center in Newhall and at the Valencia Library, the session we attended found several excited kids and staff members waiting for the dogs to arrive.

“The Therapy Dog or Animal-Assisted Activities might be a hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home, school, or other kind of facility where we meet and greet people with our pet partners. This type of visit allows people to enjoy our pets in an open and freeform way. Studies have consistently shown the healing power of pets and these visits serve to put a smile on many patients’ faces,” Sharon says.

We recently followed Sharon and Barkley at Henry Mayo and observed firsthand how positively the visits are met by patients, their visitors and even the nursing staff! People were thrilled to pet Barkley, many had their own pet stories to tell, still others marveled at his size (145 pounds).

“I am a Delta Evaluator and sometimes do evaluations for new teams. We work with other great Pet Partners teams out here in Santa Clarita, but we can always use new teams,” Sharon says.

Animal-Assisted Therapy is more structured, where specific goals for the visit are set to promote improvement in a person’s physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functions. Typically, a professional guides the therapy team during this kind of visit.

 

Roger and Sharon grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where Roger began working for Hughes Markets when he was 16. He attended CSUN and later USC for graduate work in business. He ended up staying with Hughes 44 years and retired eight years ago.

Sharon attended CSUN and and worked in a pediatric office for 19 years. “For 13 years I stayed home and raised my three children and volunteered at their school,” she says.

They have been married 46 years and have three grown children, all residing in the Santa Clarita Valley. Roger and Sharon enjoy watching their seven grandchildren in their various activities.

Their daughter, Darlene Rendall Case, 42, has two boys - Michael and Brandon - and is a teacher in Saugus at Small World Pre-school.

Their middle son, Robert Rendall, 40, lives in Valencia with his wife and three daughters and works for Re/Max and Group One Legal Investments.

The youngest son, David Rendall, 37, is a real-estate broker and attorney and founder of Group One Legal. David also teaches real estate law at COC. He lives in Valencia with his wife and two daughters.

“We are truly blessed to have our children close so we can attend the soccer and ice hockey games,” she says. “Thursday is our day to pick up the girls and help them with homework.”