Connie Gates and her dog Katie are a hit at Hope Place. The two are up for a national award that is being decided by those who vote online nationwide.

She’s a special friend who knows where the “holes” in the children’s hearts are and tries to fill them, says Connie Gates of her golden retriever Katie.

“She gives them unconditional love,” she said. “She is so amazing.”

Gates, a former resident of Athens and retired school teacher who now lives in Huntsville, is the co-founder of Therapy Partners, Inc., and she and Katie have worked together for 10 years.

Therapy Partners is a project aimed at healing broken hearts and easing fears of women and children.

The two visit Hope Place, a shelter for abused women and their children, twice monthly. They ask for no compensation and receive none. They do it for the love of the children.

As a therapy team, Connie and Katie visit those struggling just to make it through the day. Their families are fragmented and the home they’ve fled was distant and often dangerous. Katie displays special kindness for the residents. Each time Katie walks in the door of Hope place, her feet do a “happy dance” and her tail wags so hard her whole backside wags with it.

Now, Connie and Katie are finalists for the national Delta Society Team of the year. Delta is the certifying agency for therapy dogs and cats.

They are competing against four other teams across the nation and the winner will go to the National Dog Show in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 17 to receive an award. Then it’s on to New York City where they will be guests on national morning talk shows.

“We are proud to represent the South. We are glad to be partners and team up to do this wonderful work every day,” Gates said.

To vote for Gates and Katie one may go to www.therapypartners.org. The website has a link to vote.

Gates said it’s her goal to bring back a smile to those at Hope Place. She said Katie loves to visit with the children there.

“She watches me closely and when I get out her vest and backpack, she starts dancing around and follows me everywhere, then finally she runs to the gate, waiting to get into the car to head to Hope Place,” she said. “She absolutely loves it.”

Since the two have teamed up, they have visited more than 1,000 children and their mothers.

Gates co-founded with Mimi Bynum, Therapy Partners, Inc. Delta Affiliate in 1994, along with their therapy dogs Natchez and Annie. At that time there were no certified working animals in hospitals or anywhere else, she said.

Since then, 74 TPI teams have made more than 2.000 visits to hospitals, elder care facilities, and in reading programs for second graders.

The residents in Hope Place have experienced many losses and are grieving.

“Imagine a child in her home suddenly scooped up and without anything but the clothes she is wearing comes to Hope Place,” Gates said. “She and her mom are safe but her things, her friends, her home, and most of all her beloved pets are left behind. Katie and I come to Hope Place hoping to help mend some of the hurts.”

Katie is 12-years-old. She is not related to Gates’ first dog, Annie.

Katie normalizes the environment at Hope Place, Gates said.

“Katie provides a bridge to communication. People talk to us because Katie is there,” she said.

“I have found a wonderful thing about my work,” the retired school teacher said. “By nurturing others, we are in turn nurtured.

“I respect Katie and how much she gives to each and very person she visits. I have learned the value of silence on my part. When I am silent, it allows Katie and the child to focus on each other and that is when the magic happens. They talk to her and share their problems and secrets. They know Katie cares and won’t tell.”

Gates said she brings a camera and takes a picture of the child with Katie and puts it on a card to leave with them.

“The children love to have this token to remember their visit with Katie,” she said.