Zac and I have been visiting the Mental Health Center of the University of New Mexico 

Hospital (UNMH).  The patients look forward to interacting with Zac and enjoying his 

unconditional love.  

I have witnessed "not so small" miracles happen.  Non-communicative patients pet Zac 

and begin talking; angry patients relax and are able to positively interact; and people begin 

tasks, such as taking responsibility for caring for the dog.  Socialization among patients 

increases as they talk about Zac. Behavioral change is dramatic, and some patients have 

even progressed from negative behavior to discharge in one to two weeks.

Recently, five patients were on the floor with Zac at one time. One was grooming him with his brush; one was massaging his left hind quarter; another was petting him; one was kissing Zac (just having gotten a face licking from him); and yet another was physically examining Zac. This patient discovered a lump on Zac’s lower chest area and told me about it. I thanked her for calling it to my attention, indicating it was just a fatty tumor that I had previously noticed. One patient went so far as to fill Zac’s water bowl in case he was thirsty. She also brought a piece of her apple for him. Zac? Well, he was so happy to be receiving all this great attention. He smiled as he remained stretched on the floor, surrounded by all these adoring patients!