The Salt Lake Tribune: Poodle connects with prisoners in therapy

The 'Buck effect'

Poodle connects with prisoners in therapy

The fluffy pooch helps women diagnosed with mental illness open up in group sessions

By Russ Rizzo
The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated: 04/01/2008 12:38:21 AM MDT

UTAH STATE PRISON - Buck, a 10-year-old standard poodle, lies at the foot of Francine Chavez, licking her hand as she discusses healthy ways to overcome anger.

"He's really reaching out to you," said Rachael Jasperson, a prison intern leading the five-woman therapy group Monday morning.

For the past month, Buck has offered his touch - both literal and figurative - to help a group of female prisoners diagnosed with serious mental illnesses become more engaged in therapy.

Marcie Remington, who heads women's in-patient treatment at the prison, is encouraged by the changes she sees. The women appear more interested in the sessions with a dog's wagging tail around, she said, and tend to shed the "tough" facade they often maintain, even with therapists.

"It helps break down even the lies they tell themselves," Remington said. "And it helps them address their own issues in a way they can't when an animal isn't around."

After more than eight years in and out of prison for drug charges and a parole violation, Chavez, 36, has participated in dozens of similar therapy groups, she said. But Buck makes all the difference.

"I actually get up in the morning and look forward to visiting with Buck," Chavez said.

Starr Linderer, 41, rarely took interest in prison programs before Buck came on the scene, Jasperson said. Now she not only participates in group sessions but even volunteered for a leadership position in her housing section - on the energizing team, no less.

"It's ironic," Linderer said.

Buck's owner, Ann Coleman, isn't surprised by the results the prison has seen. The "Buck effect" even works on children at Bluffdale Elementary, who are less self-conscious about reading to a poodle than to adults, she said.

Remington hopes to encourage more of Intermountain Therapy Animals' troupe of 300 handlers to bring their pets to the prison by addressing the concern some volunteers have about working inside the prison, she said.

There is plenty of opportunity for more volunteers: Twenty-five female and about 160 male prisoners with serious mental illnesses take part in weekly group therapy.

rrizzo@sltrib.com