Paws-itive therapy — Animal group aims to help emotionally disturbed children

The outside of a dog is the very best thing for the inside of a person." — Intermountain Therapy Animals patient

Every child deserves love and happiness. But children don't always get what they deserve, as the staff at Primary Children's Residential Treatment Center knows so well. The center houses children, ranging in age from 6 or 7 up to preteen, who are emotionally disturbed.

Every dog can offer love and companionship, but some dogs do more, as members of Intermountain Therapy Animals can attest. By offering unconditional love and acceptance, dogs can work their way into troubled psyches and create a happy place.

Every child likes to draw and paint and create art. But not all paintings mean the same, either. Artwork, too, can reach places words can't, can help children express feelings, master new skills.

Children, dogs, art. They can come together in beautiful ways.

And that is exactly what is happening with the animal therapy and art programs at the Residential Treatment Center. Those programs have also resulted in an art exhibit, which will be on display at the Evolutionary Healthcare clinic, 461 E. 200 South, Suite 100.

"Paws for Healing: Art and Animal Therapies at Primary Children's RTC" opens tonight and continues through Feb. 10. On display will be paintings of therapy dogs done by children at RTC. Ceramic dogs and doghouses created by the children will also be displayed and will be for sale to raise funds for the therapy programs.

You don't usually find an art gallery inside a health clinic, but it's a way to create a light, healthful space, says Carol Osborn, a physician at Evolutionary Healthcare. "Art can be therapeutic, a distraction from pain or illness."

It also gives them a way to be involved in the community, she says. "We offer our space to a lot of nonprofit groups for art shows." They are a participant in the monthly downtown Gallery Strolls. You don't have to be a patient to come see the art; anyone is welcome anytime, Osborn adds.

She is excited about the therapy animal exhibit because she's seen firsthand what animal therapy can do. "Animals are also a distraction from pain and problems."

Primary Children's RTC is just one of many facilities that work with Intermountain Therapy Animals, but it's a special place to come, says Susan Daynes, who brings her golden retriever, Colonel, to the center.

"While Colonel is here, he is their dog. They get to pet him, tell him what to do. Some of these children have had such a hard time. It is heart-rending to see how the interactions can change lives."

One of the young boys is going to put on his own dog show with Colonel for all the children at the center. Something that seems simple can be a huge step in the children's lives, says Laura Joesten, a recreational therapist at RTC. Just the ability to follow directions, to sequence tasks and follow through gives the child a huge jolt of self-esteem, she says.

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