A four-legged friend in need

“He assists mostly by breaking the ice. In counseling, some people doubt they need this, and Buddy helps with that,” Scoggan explains. “They’re more interested in petting him and asking questions about him than I’m able to put in my [preliminary] questions. I think it really comforts them.”

She took the rapport-building canine home as a pup for her son. Scoggan certified Buddy, one of three family dogs, in 2012. She discusses her tail-wagging partner below. — Catherine Hofacker, BSJ ’18

“He teaches me that unconditional kindness and regard are sometimes just what somebody needs. He really is a very gentle soul. He likes people unconditionally. They don't have to give him treats; he just wants people to pet him and love him”

“Buddy learned to trust people — you can play, be a little rough, and not hurt somebody. That sounds weird, but when dogs go up for certification, the evaluator grabs them all over because that's what the elderly or children will do sometimes. A dog has to understand that humans are not going to intentionally hurt them.”

“I think it really hurts his feelings that some people walk by and not pet him. Service dogs typically wear vest, and I think they should — to identify them. But Buddy doesn't, and I want everyone to feel free to come up and pet him.”

“He follows me every morning to the door to see if today's the day he gets to go to work. As soon as we get here, he goes into work mode. He calms down. He'll be very stoic. He knows he needs to be quiet. I don't know how he knows that.”