Janet Preller and Lucy, September 2025

Lucy is 9 pounds of joy – and the black, curly-haired Goldendoodle eagerly shares that joy with others.

“People are drawn to her,” says Janet Preller. “She just loves people.”

Janet and Lucy have been a volunteer team with Prescription Pets Therapy Dogs since Lucy passed her test at age 1½ in 2024. No surprise there. To be a successful therapy dog, all Lucy needed to do was be her cute, kind, authentic self.

Team Janet and Lucy visit Oakmont Senior Living’s memory care and the Veterans Home of California — Redding. Lucy also is a READ dog. Janet and Lucy are regulars at the Redding Library and Junction School in Palo Cedro.

Lucy’s fluffy friendliness puts people of all ages at ease. 

Janet recalls a visit at the Veterans Home where a staff member told her that the gentleman talking so intently to Lucy doesn’t normally speak. “He said, ‘We haven’t heard him speak, but he’s talking to your dog.’ I just couldn’t believe it.”

A similar connection happened at Junction School. One of the students who reads with Lucy is selectively mute, but she felt comfortable talking to Lucy.

“That was really sweet. They really bonded,” Janet says.

Janet has a heart for children. She had a career in health care administration in Corvallis, Ore. and always found opportunities to do volunteer work with young people. After retiring, she moved to Redding in 2020 to be closer to her family. She built a small home on the same property where her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons live.

“I feel honored to be part of my grandchildren’s lives. They are such healthy and happy boys,” Janet says of Harrison, 8, and Coleman, 6.

When she moved to Redding she didn’t have a dog. Her previous dog Ragsdale — “a little dog with a big attitude” — had lived to age 17½. It was difficult to think about bringing a new dog into her life. But she was intrigued by the idea of a Goldendoodle. Her daughter-in-law convinced her to visit a breeder with three 4-month-old petite Goldendoodles. The two boy pups romped and played while the girl pup came over and sat right next to Janet. Lucy was already demonstrating her therapy-dog potential.

“I always say she picked me,” Janet says.

Janet brought young Lucy to all the places in Redding she could think of where dogs are welcome, and everywhere the two of them went, Lucy drew attention and smiles. She was a happiness magnet.

“I’d never even thought about having a therapy dog, but she attracted people to her,” Janet says.

When Lucy sees Janet wearing her Prescription Pets shirt, she knows what’s coming up. Her little tail is in full motion as soon as she spots the first child at a reading session. When the reading begins, she cuddles up. If she’s really comfortable, she’ll put her head in the child’s lap.

While always on task during visits, at home Lucy is known to let loose with a mighty big bark. That exuberance typically happens when she sees Harrison and Coleman. Lucy and the grandsons love each other and have the same playful energy, Janet notes. Tug-of-war is a favorite game for everyone.

In keeping with her passion for helping young people, Janet does substitute teaching at local schools and is working on a children’s book. 

“These are the things that make me happy. I love being around kids,” she says, adding that it’s especially rewarding to see children make gains academically and in their self-confidence.

Lucy has added much to Janet’s life. She’s grateful to Prescription Pets for providing opportunities to share Lucy with others.

“I have really enjoyed being part of Prescription Pets. I feel it is something that Lucy enjoys too, and it uses her talents,” Janet says. “We don’t always think of dogs having talents, but they do.”