Lucy: A therapy dog in Utah *
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Above and beyond their place as family companions and in traditional service occupations, dogs in Utah serve in an ever-widening spectrum of therapeutic roles. The physical and emotional benefits to humans that come from relationships with dogs are now recognized and utilized by psychiatric facilities, assisted living centers, hospitals, schools and even prisons.
Today, dogs contribute more to the welfare of individuals and society than perhaps any other time in the history of the human dog bond. Additionally, over the past three decades, increased awareness of the importance of humane care and control of dogs, the enactment and enforcement of leash laws, and dog bite prevention education, have all been instrumental in lowering the number of reported dog-related injuries throughout the nation.
At times, the media spotlight on an individual dog attack can create the impression that dogs pose a significant threat to the community. Sensationalized publicity, along with a lack of knowledge about the causes of dog attacks and a failure to appreciate how truly infrequent serious dog attacks are, have resulted in reactive and uninformed policies directed against certain types of dogs. In a state with less than a dozen hospitalizations per year from dog-related injuries, and only three fatal dog attacks in the past 44 years, South Jordan City surrendered to the national hysteria in 1997 and banned pit bulls in the city.
Fortunately though, most of the residents of Utah understand and recognize the value of dogs, irrespective of their individual physical characteristics.
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* Lucy, a bloodhound, got mixed reviews as a tracking dog for the police department. She later “retired” to a nursing home in Salt Lake City. Lucy spends much of her time hanging out in the Alzheimer’s unit, where she has been a big hit. Lucy lowers heart rates and contributes to a positive, pleasant atmosphere for the patients.
National Canine Research Council