For the past several weeks, Lori Tagger and Scooby, a 6-year-old golden retriever, have been coaxing smiles from outpatient therapy clients at Hyland Behavioral Health on the campus of St. Anthony's Medical Center.

"That first uncertain smile — that's why I do this; it touches my heart and my soul to see that smile," said Tagger, a licensed psychologist with St. Anthony's Psychological Services.

Tagger, who has taken in foster dogs through Love-A-Golden for the past seven years, adopted Scooby last year. He had been hit by a car and his family couldn't afford the cost of his care.

Scooby recently underwent training through the Jefferson County Kennel Club, passed the Canine Good Citizenship test and was certified for animal-assisted therapy. He now accompanies Tagger to work every day, participating in both group and individual therapy sessions, with clients ranging from teenagers to adults.

"Teens with psychological disorders — depression, anxiety, anger issues, chemical dependency — are resistant to opening up about their problems," Tagger said. "They say, 'Why should I trust you? I don't even know you.' But animals are seen as nonthreatening; there's no abuse, no manipulation, no pain. They just love you."

There is a natural tendency for humans and pets to form relationships, and animal-assisted therapy uses that tendency to help the therapist achieve goals with the patient, Tagger said.

When Tagger's adolescent clients see her interacting with the dog, they see her as a safe and loving person, she said.

"The kids engage with the dog, then with each other and with me," she said.

The simple act of petting actually lowers a person's blood pressure, Tagger said, and it may be especially comforting for patients who have suffered abuse.

"My teenage clients often sit on the floor during therapy sessions, soothing themselves by petting the dog," Tagger said. "If the patient is a victim of sexual abuse, hugging the dog is a safe way for them to receive physical contact."

The other dog in the Hyland therapy program is Zester, a 5-year-old champion Belgian sheepdog who belongs to Anne Marie Lynch, a licensed clinical social worker and outpatient clinical manager at Hyland. Zester is a prize-winning show dog with a string of titles to his credit.

Lynch, who has trained both show dogs and service dogs in the past, plans to train other staff members at Hyland to use the dogs in outpatient therapeutic settings. She is hoping, at some point, to be able to use animal-assisted therapy in an inpatient setting as well.

"Part of what a dog does is increase the comfort level of the patients about being here," Lynch said. "People might be anxious and depressed, but they begin talking to the dog, then start conversing with each other. They're more likely to open up about what's going on in their lives."

The success of psychotherapy depends on the rapport between the patient and the therapist, Lynch said. Studies show that even when a therapist simply has a photo of a dog on display, the level of rapport with the patient increases, she said.

"When Zester walks into the room, I always see increased smiles, shoulders relaxing, more verbalization," Lynch said. "Often, patients talk about their own dogs or reminisce about dogs they had in the past. Reminiscing is especially important for older adults — it reaffirms who they are."

As for the dogs themselves, there is nothing they love more than coming to work.

"Zester gets so excited when he comes to work with me," Lynch said. "He does his little 'prancey dance' as soon as we walk in. He loves the attention he gets here — it feeds him."

Scooby is equally enthusiastic about his job, Tagger said.

"Goldens are loving, compassionate and playful — they have the perfect temperament for this work," Tagger said. "He is so much more effective with clients than I ever thought he could be. The results are far beyond what I expected."

Both Lynch and Tagger agree that the dogs have had a positive impact, helping patients open up to the therapeutic process and creating a welcoming, safe atmosphere on the unit.

"Dogs are nonjudgmental, they provide a safe relationship," Tagger said. "They offer coping, healing, peace — and unconditional love. Everyone just adores them."