About Cody

CODY is a registered therapy dog with Intermountain Therapy Animals, Therapy Patient Connections affiliate. At 12 pounds, he is a small bundle of joy with his forever puppy face. He is a malti-poo mix and is hypo-allergenic.

HIS ROLE in sessions is to be a present, calm support. This usually means finding a comfortable place to nap near you or to keep a caring watch over you.

HIS TRAINING includes completing multiple obedience classes such as the Canine Good Citizen test. Cody has been a therapy dog since 2014. He and his handler Jacqui do a re-evaluation every two years to make sure they continue to meet therapy animal team criteria with the evaluating program. Cody is not a service dog nor is he an emotional support dog. As a therapy dog, Cody is not expected to be perfect, just predictable and supportive to many people while working with his handler.

HIS EXPERIENCE has involved working in therapy sessions with children and families who have survived abuse and neglect. Cody has provided therapeutic support for first responders and team members involved in the child advocacy and child welfare system. He has attended presentations at local, national, and international venues with Ms. Jacqui about therapy dogs in counseling.

HIS STORY is one similar to the children he has worked with. He came from a place of neglect and abuse. Alaqua Animal Refuge rescued him and posted his picture for fostering. Some of Jacqui’s friends forwarded pictures to her and her husband Greg. After a time of meeting and a successful fostering, Cody was officially adopted when he was a year old in 2014. He came to a family with a 9 year old Maltese, Riley, who was already distinguished as a therapy dog. Cody did not know how to be a typical dog or how to play because of the early trauma he had experienced. He was overly shy and cautious, but his older brother Riley taught him the ropes. Surrounded by connection, patience, and tenderness, Cody now plays with toys and has an adventurous spirit. He seems to never have a bad day and loves to make others feel better by wagging his tail or rolling over for a tummy rub.