Featured Dog

Labrador reliever

By OLIVIA GARCIA
Californian staff writer

Two name plates hang from Marsha Morris' office door -- one for the Bakersfield therapist and the other for her four-legged associate, Jackson. Jackson is a certified pet therapist. The 10-year-old yellow Labrador retriever works hand in paw with his owner, counseling children who have been sexually abused. Morris does the talking. Jackson does the playing, napping or cuddling -- whatever children need to ease their tensions.

Their teamwork has earned them national recognition. The Delta Society, a national nonprofit human service organization, recently honored Morris and Jackson with a Special Service Award for the group's Beyond Limits Awards for Service and Therapy Animals of the Year. Morris, who works primarily with sexually abused children at the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic, a private, nonprofit outpatient mental health center in Bakersfield, was happy to hear about the award. So were colleagues.

They have seen how Jackson's presence, even if it's just sitting at a child's feet and patiently waiting for the child to pet him, makes it easier for the child to open up, said Susanne Campbell, marketing and business development director at the Child Guidance Clinic.

"Since most of Marsha's clients are victims of some kind of abuse, Jackson serves as a great ice breaker for these children to feel comfortable about sharing their experiences with Marsha," Campbell said. "Jackson is also a great form of therapy for our office staff as well. He accompanies Marsha around the office and as each of us stops to pet him or give him a snack, we are able to get our minds off of any stress we might be facing and relax a bit."

The Morris-Jackson duo formed two years ago when Morris, a San Joaquin Valley native, was able to get Jackson certified as an animal-assisted therapist by the Delta Society. "He's better with kids than adults," Morris said of Jackson, given to her by relatives. "Kids can crawl on him. They can lay on him. They can hug him. "There's just something about him being there. It gives them something to do. Petting. Brushing. I've had a child lie down and sleep with him." Morris said Jackson's presence creates a calming atmosphere.

For instance, Morris once had a session where a teen and his mother fought and yelled loudly in each other's face. Then a minute later, the child stopped, sat down and petted Jackson over and over. "That calmed him down," Morris said. "Jackson is very mellow. He just breaks the ice and makes it so much easier. (Having him around) gives them a feeling of safety."

From the time she was 2, Morris has always had a dog. And as a child, she had a dog that was her best friend. Today, she still has respect for animals. Her office walls are filled with acrylic paintings she's done of Jackson and her other dogs: two mixed labs, Agusta and Woodrow. A portrait of Jackson wearing glasses and a tie and standing next to a bookshelf and a laptop computer hangs over her desk.

"I feel very fortunate to share him with others because he's a special guy," Morris said.