Utah's newest pet hero has touched countless lives
By Carma Wadley Deseret News senior writer
With a delighted smile, Ron Bellamy reaches out to stroke
Hoop's head. And for a moment the pain of recovering from brain
surgery is forgotten; the need to deal with what the therapist calls
visual field neglect is buried in the joy of being with Hoop, a
3-year-old golden retriever.
"Oh, what a good boy you are, yes you are," the patient says.
For Hoop, this is all in a day's work. On this morning at the rehab center at LDS Hospital, the dog will not only visit with Bellamy but also will help Ed Bennett recover from the effects of a stroke. He will aid Todd Glaittli in rebuilding the strength in his legs that was lost in a bout with encephalitis, and he'll help Don Forrest build strength and endurance following bypass surgery.
The benefits of animal therapy, the ability of these trained animals to break through barriers and form healing bonds, has been well-documented.
Even so, Hoop does his job better than most. He really seems to
understand just when he needs to jump up on a bed, just how to
match his pace to that of the patient, just when to reach out with a
slobbery kiss, says Lisa Towner, his owner.
Maybe that's because Hoop himself has lived with pain, understands imperfection, knows about courage.
As a puppy, Hoop had to have shoulder surgery. And his elbows are malformed, filled with bone shards and signs of degeneration.
"I have to help him down out of the car or down from a chair," says Towner, "so he won't jump on his front feet. But other than that, he gets along fine."
So fine, in fact, that Hoop was able to pass the rigorous training and testing required to certify as a therapy dog when he was only a year old. Most therapy dogs are much older.
In recognition of Hoop's contribution — his dedication, loyalty and love for mankind — the dog was inducted into the Utah Animal Hall of Fame Wednesday and given the Animal Companion of the Year award by the Utah Veterinary Medical Association.
Through this annual Pet Hero Awards program, the association recognizes one animal each year that has made an outstanding contribution, says Evan Gubler, a member of the association's board. It may be an animal that has performed a daring rescue or heroic feat; it might be a seeing-eye dog or a service animal. Or it might be an animal such as Hoop, who has touched countless lives in meaningful ways.
His work involves more than being there and letting people pet him, as important as that is. But by playing tug-of-war or fetch, by walking alongside, by brushing and even feeding him treats, patients develop strength and skills in a way that removes patients from some of the ordinary drudgery and pain.
"It's amazing how much animals can add to the therapeutic process," says Gubler. "They give unconditional love, and often patients will open up and respond to the animals in ways they never will with humans."
Hoop, who is certified with Intermountain Therapy Animals, and its parent organization, the Delta Society, works at three different centers: rehab and residential centers at Primary Children's Medical Center, as well as at the LDS Hospital. He also goes to schools and works with other groups.
His impact is expressed in the many letters and notes he receives. "Hoop has inspired me to feel better toward lots of people," wrote Adrian. "When he comes to my class he is always happy. I have always loved animals, but Hoop is special. These are only some of the reasons that Hoop has enriched, inspired and contributed to my life."
"Hoop has inspired patients to believe in themselves and nobody's against you and it is OK to hope and wish. I have to admit that Hoop has made miracles to happen, and Hoop is a miracle," said Kimyn.
And from Molly: "Hoop, Hoop, he's so fun. He is good for everyone."
One of their most rewarding experiences has come from working with a 12-year-old boy in a residential treatment center," says Towner, who is herself trained as a physical therapist. "We have been seeing him every week for about nine months, and he is learning to love and trust again after being neglected, abused and abandoned by his parents."
The boy thinks he is learning to care for a dog and train it to be well-mannered, she says, but he is really "learning important nurturing, social and play skills that he has had no previous role models for, and these skills can carry over to his relationships with people."
But it starts with Hoop. Somehow the dog instinctively knows this universal lesson: pain that is shared is lessened; love that is shared grows strong. And that makes him a worthy hero, indeed.
This article originally appeared in the Deseret News on August 8, 2000. It is reprinted here courtesy of the Deseret News