An interview with Scott Bagget, a lifelong therapy dog handler and advocate

If there’s one thing Scott will tell you without hesitation, it’s this: Never underestimate what a dog can do for you.

I recently met Scott, a man whose life has been deeply shaped by his work with therapy dogs, to learn more about the incredible impact his Therapy Dogs has had not just on him, but on countless children, families, professionals in hospitals, courtrooms, and schools across the country.

LA, short for La Vie (French for “The Life”), came into Scott’s life as a young, eager Golden Retriever. But what set LA apart was his intuition. From the very first moment LA entered a hospital for therapy work, Scott could tell the dog understood exactly what he was there to do. And that understanding laid the foundation for years of impactful service.

Scott isn’t new to this world, he’s been doing therapy dog work for over a decade in hospitals such as St. Joseph’s Hospital. Along the way, their story caught the attention of Fox News, and eventually, the State Attorney’s office requested their help on 28 sensitive legal cases involving children, guardianship, and custody. It was clear Scott and LA brought something unique to every setting — so much so that Scott was eventually asked to serve as a hospitals pet therapy chairman.

What makes a great therapy dog? According to Scott, it starts with a strong bond — and trick training was key to building that. “Kids always ask, ‘Can he do any tricks?’” he told me. He began trick training with LA when the dog was about 18 months old. The exercises helped LA build confidence, and the shared experience only deepened their connection.

Some of the most moving moments, however, were completely unplanned. A powerful memory involved a young girl named Linda, wheelchair-bound and nonverbal, she communicated through facial expressions and sign language. During a visit, LA climbed into bed beside her and, after a few quiet minutes, gently licked her chin and rested his head on her chest. Her mother suddenly exclaimed, “She’s having a seizure!” LA had sensed it before any medical equipment could react.

“That’s not something you can train,” Scott said. “That’s just something dogs know.”

Scott and LA has participated in reading programs for elementary school students, and even spent six months visiting a brain trauma center. But whether he was helping children learn to read or providing comfort during legal proceedings, LA’s gift was the same: a calm and intuitive presence.

One of Scott’s core philosophies when preparing a therapy dog is understanding the environment you’re entering. “What type of therapy work do you want to do with your dog?” he asked. “Scope it out. See what might scare or distract them. Know whether your dog is proactive, inactive, or reactive — and always aim for proactive.”

Scott’s inspiration for this work runs deep. As a child, he was diagnosed with polio and experienced paralysis. His mother even wrote in his baby book Scotty Loves Dogs, capturing the love and connection he felt with animals from a young age, a connection that would eventually shape his life’s purpose.

Therapy dog work, for Scott, is more than a volunteer effort, it’s a calling. Through it, he’s witnessed what many people never get to see: the profound ways dogs can communicate, comfort, and even intervene when something is wrong.

As our conversation came to a close, Scott summed it up best:
“God made dogs for a reason.”

And after hearing his story with his therapy dogs, I believe it.

Build Bonds with Tricks – Sign Up Today!

Join us this October at Sunland Acres for our fun and engaging Trick Training Classes! Held every Tuesday at 6:30 PM, these classes are a great way to build your dog’s confidence, strengthen your bond, and learn some impressive new skills together. Whether you’re training for therapy work or just looking to have fun, our supportive group setting makes it easy and rewarding for both you and your pup. Come grow, connect, and enjoy the journey! Call (904)287-5246.

Alliance of Therapy Dogs

For more than 30 years, the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) has been an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. ATD supports volunteers and their dogs through testing, certification, registration, and insurance for those participating in animal‑assisted activities. Their mission is to build a caring network of people and their special dogs who are willing to bring comfort, smiles, and joy to folks young and old—whether in hospitals, schools, senior homes, or other settings.

To find an Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) volunteer in your area, visit the ATD website at therapydogs.com and use the “Find a Volunteer Tester / Observer” tool to enter your zip code. The search will display the closest 15 Volunteer Testers/Observers, whom you can contact to schedule your registration process.