In Utah, only dogs and sometimes miniature horses are defined as service animals.
Universe Live reporter, Emmeline Blythe, meets a therapy dog, Fred. Fred has mostly worked in airports and hospitals. (Emmeline Blythe)
However, there are specific differences between service, emotional support and therapy animals. Take a look at Intermountain Therapy Animals' headquarters in Salt Lake City to learn what this nonprofit is all about.
Founded in 1993, Intermountain Therapy Animals is an ongoing nonprofit dedicated to giving communities and individuals access to licensed therapy animals.
"We like to be taken seriously. We're a pretty powerful force for healing," said Kathy Klotz, Intermountain Therapy Animals' executive director.
Jigsaw is a newly licensed therapy dog. Intermountain Therapy Animals volunteer Brett Beasley has worked with five dogs. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
Klotz was Intermountain Therapy Animals' 13th volunteer and has seen it grow to more than 300 volunteer teams since then.
She shared that she's a witness to the magic that therapy dogs bring to hospitals, libraries, airports and anywhere therapy is needed.
"Magic, as it turns out, we now know is oxytocin. It makes you trust people better. It helps your wounds heal faster. It helps you be more relaxed, less depressed. It's an amazing thing," Klotz said.
However, the first step to finding a dog capable of this "magic" is their personality.
"The things that we cannot train are the things that are innate to their personality, which draw them to therapy work," Brett Beasley, an Intermountain Therapy Animals volunteer, said.
Therapy dog, Dresden, poses with her calling card. Every licensed therapy animal has their own information card. (Emmeline Blythe)
Beasley has now had five licensed dogs for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Jigsaw is officially his newest recruit.
"He feels like every human ought to meet him right now," Beasley said.
Wherever they go, every dog like Jigsaw, Dresden, Fred and Rosie has a calling card for whoever needs them.
"They provide a healing balm on a human on their worst day that science can't. Thank heavens that animals are here to make our lives better," Beasley said.
To learn more about Intermountain Therapy Animals, visit its website at therapyanimals.org. It has divisions throughout Utah and Montana.
Intermountain Therapy Animals
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Jigsaw is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Jigsaw at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Dresden is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Dresden at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Fred is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Fred at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Rosie is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Rosie at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Intermountain Therapy Animals
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Jigsaw is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Jigsaw at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Dresden is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Dresden at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Fred is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Fred at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
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Rosie is a licensed therapy animal for Intermountain Therapy Animals. Universe Live reporter Emmeline Blythe met Rosie at the headquarters in Salt Lake City. (Intermountain Therapy Animals)
