Meet Zachary -- Purdy Prison-Trained Dog Helps Autistic Youngster

Zachary is one of those nondescript little terrier mixes that has literally touched the lives of everyone with whom he's come in contact.

He is a social conduit from inmate Jeannette Murphy at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy with the Scroggs family of Seattle, and vice versa, but more important he is helping coax Mitchell Scroggs, 4, out of an autistic cocoon. Autistic children are usually withdrawn, averse to body or eye contact and reluctant to speak.

Zachary came off death row at the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society and was trained by Murphy under the prestigious Prison Pet Partnership Program that has placed more than 500 dogs throughout the Northwest the past decade.

"Zachary is only a single piece of the puzzle," says Gary Scroggs, "but a very important one. He's helped us become a closer family and to recognize Mitchell's potential."

His wife, Anne, adds, "Zachary is a family pet, not simply Mitchell's. His interaction with Mitchell has helped Mitchell begin to socialize with us. The dog has accelerated the hugging and touching process that was missing."

Another bonus has been Zachary's protectiveness of Mitchell. "He'll let Mitchell get away with things our older son Matthew (5) can't. The dog has an extraordinary sensitivity to distinguish the boys' capabilities," adds Anne.

Before Zachary arrived last August, play therapy between Mitchell and Mom was one-sided. She would gently toss items to him, but he wouldn't throw them back. Enter Zachary. Now Mitchell occasionally flings the toys back to Mom and when he doesn't, count on Zachary to play retriever.

While Zachary has been the trigger mechanism for Mitchell's increased socialization, the dog has helped elicit an audible sound or two from the youngster as well. "Hi, puppy," was the first. "The way that dog's all over him, he's going to have to learn the word off," adds his mother.

Mitchell, who was not diagnosed as autistic until age 18 months, often sneaks quietly from the room to a tightly enclosed spot elsewhere in the house or even into a car parked in the garage. "It's not a game," says Anne, "it's just an inherent characteristic of autism. As a parent, it can make you frantic, since you don't know whether he's in trouble or just tucked away somewhere." Another tendency with autistic children is to suddenly bolt from an adult and into the street.

"These are two more areas where Zachary can help," says Anne, who is enrolled with Zachary in a basic-obedience training class.

Some homes with autistic children resemble a prison. Locks, gates everywhere. In fact, Anne recalls visiting one where the autistic youngster was outfitted with a halter and was attached to a tree with a lead.

While the Scroggs home is equipped with locks on many cupboards, doors and even a toilet seat, numerous pieces of gorgeous decor are within reach of Mitchell.

"We have tried not to tailor our household to Mitchell. "He's a part of the family and must play by family rules," she adds.

Obtaining a dog was a common-sense approach for the Scroggses, not the result of lengthy research. But educators and physicians have little knowledge, the couple says, about the ability of dogs to draw out incommunicative people. "They want empirical data before they'll endorse it," says Gary. "Unfortunately, the role of pets isn't always as simple as black and white."

When Zachary entered inmate Murphy's life in February 1991, it was not love at first sight. "But it blossomed quickly," she says. "I put my heart and soul into him. There was only one other dog that brought tears to my eyes when I had to let it go.

"It was difficult emotionally for both myself and the Scroggses. But they have been wonderful, keeping me up on Zach's progress and sending photos."

Asked if a reunion was in the works, she says, "I don't know whether I could take it. I think the Scroggses would be more than willing to bring the dog back down here for a visit, but it's me. I'm just not ready yet."

Zachary was Murphy's constant companion. "He went to the gym with me, he slept with me, and, of course, he was with me all the time at the kennels."

Zachary was an underdog from the get-go at Purdy. "At first, I didn't see a lifetime job for him," admits Murphy. "But he fooled me. He thrived on challenge, and once he knew he belonged, his confidence and personality soared."

This is Murphy's fifth year in the dog-training program, which has seen her train approximately 20 animals. "Dogs are the only constant in your life around here," she emphasizes. "Zachary offered me the same therapeutic benefits he has provided Mitchell - touching, kissing and unequivocal love. I had some pretty empty days after he left."

But now, a circle of the Scroggses' acquaintances - educators, physicians, friends and parents of autistic children - are keeping a close eye on this dynamic little dog's ability to continue offering powerful psychological medicine for Mitchell.

Somehow you sense Zachary's therapeutic efforts have only just begun.

FUNDING HELP, NEED

When Kathi Prevost, executive director of the Washington State Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies, attended an Evergreen Cat Fanciers board of directors meeting late last month, she was in for a big surprise.

The club, which designated proceeds from its highly successful all-breed show last month to the federation's spay-neuter project in May, presented Prevost with a check for $20,000.

On another front, a drop in state funds for remodeling the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy, has left the Prison Pet Partnership Program with a need for $200,000 by June.

The program's old kennels are being razed to make way for additional detention facilities. The $200,000 will enable the nonprofit PPPP corportation to build kennels.

Donations should be mailed to Prison Pet Partnership Program, Kennel Fund, P.O. Box 17, Gig Harbor 98335-0017.

-- Mail information regarding dog or cat events to Classified Division, attn. Marilyn Fairbanks, Dog/ Cat Events, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.