Happy Dog Farm Foundation

Jim Jackson, Patty Lane, and Karen Jackson

A nonprofit sanctuary for dogs

By Amy Dee Stephens

Helping dogs find good homes brings joy to the many Oklahomans involved in animal rescue efforts. Patty Lane is one of those people working with adoptable dogs, but she’s gone one step further by also caring for old and dying dogs—a sort of dog hospice. “I’ve rescued dogs since I was a girl,” Patty said. “After my dad passed away in 2006, I used my inheritance to buy an acreage and build a property for myself and seven dogs. I included two fenced areas and a room designed specifically for the dogs. In hindsight, it wasn’t enough.” Sick, abused or dying dogs continually entered Patty’s world. As her heart expanded, so did the number of dogs in her home. In 2012, she started the Happy Dog Farm Foundation, a nonprofit dog sanctuary for unwanted dogs, especially smaller breeds. “I usually have about 20 dogs at a time who are either ill or have aggressive behavior issues. Sometimes it's puppy mill dogs who’ve been in horrific situations. I work to give them a regular life, or at least comfort and quality to the end,” Patty said.

Helping Happy Dogs

Although the condition of these animals is often sad, Patty herself is upbeat, willing to make time sacrifices to feed, nurse, and manage her canine friends. She manages this around her full time job working with special education children in the Edmond Public Schools.

“I couldn’t do it without the help of other people,” Patty said. “Karen Jackson is my right-hand person and Board member. Dr. Sara Rowland at the Deer Creek Animal Clinic is our incredibly compassionate veterinarian. She’s cried more tears over these dogs than I have!” Patty is grateful to the many people who donate money and supplies for her dogs. “I’m so incredibly humbled that people feel Happy Dogs is worth their money. Dog food alone is so expensive, but I’ve stopped worrying about funds, because God always provides everything we need at just I work to give them a the right time,” Patty said. One outstanding canine is Cooper, who regular life, or at least became a valuable companion to a shutcomfort and quality in friend. "I began taking Cooper to visit to the end. my friend Margaret,who couldn’t have a dog. Once a week, Cooper would go over and sit in Margaret’s lap for an afternoon. Even though Cooper’s care was expensive, it was worth every penny to save his life, because of Margaret.”

Dogs With Stories

When Patty retires in 2024, she plans to form a coalition of rescue organizations to push for stricter regulations in Oklahoma regarding stray animals. “We’ve got to do a better job of keeping these poor animals out of horrendous conditions. We have too many illegal puppy mills and we don’t have a place for dogs whose owners pass away or go to a nursing home.”

Recently, after appearing on KFOR’s Pay It Forward segment, Patty received a call from a gentleman going into a nursing center. He cared deeply for his aged dog and was seeking a home for him. “The poor man thought he’d taken good care of his companion, but he was actually terribly sick and blind—so he’ll live the rest of his life with me,” Patty said. During the last winter storm, a small stray dog was seen around the Chimney Hill area, but no one could catch him. The dog, nicknamed Wishbone, became a social media sensation, and everyone wanted updates. Eventually, a neighbor found the dog freezing on his patio. He’d been hit by a car. Money was quickly raised for the vet fees, and Karen rushed him to intensive care. Wishbone had eight broken ribs and lost his leg, but is doing well. He’s now been adopted into his forever home by Karen. Adoption is a best-case scenario. When Patty works with a dog who becomes healthy or has overcome behaviors, she posts it on her Facebook page. Because Patty also practices what she preaches, she has recently adopted her own special friend, who is more than a mission dog. She’s a wire fox terrier named Clara Bell. “My friend, Teresa Randall, rescued and rehabilitated three puppy mill dogs who became adoptable. Now, Clara Bell’s all mine. She’s my dog. She has my heart,” Patty said.

Patty is currently at full capacity and is seeking foster homes. Maybe you, too, have room in your heart for a Happy Dog. Visit Happy Dog Farm Foundation on Facebook to learn more.