Joy Patton knows a thing or two about therapy dogs — not the officially trained and certified therapy dogs — but she knows that a dog can be what keeps you from coming apart at the seams when life gets tough.

Prescuit did that for her a few years ago. She learned that dogs can be healing balm for our souls when we’re hurting. They love us when we’re not feeling very lovable. They do this instinctively. The soul work Prescuit does comes naturally. Just ask Joy.

Joy says: “In the beginning, I took him almost everywhere I went. He went to baseball and softball games. If I had to leave him at home, he was super excited to see me when I returned, jumping up and down and running around in circles. He slept with me, so he was the first thing I saw every morning. He sat in my lap when I watched television. I talked to him as if he were a person. He was the constancy in my life, and I needed a stabilizing factor. I was lucky to find that in Prescuit.”

One look into Prescuit’s face, and his eyes reveal an old soul, full of wisdom, understanding and a knowing of the important mission in his life. This is not to say that Prescuit doesn’t engage in normal dog activities. He’s bitten the Fed Ex delivery man twice, and he comes running when he hears the wrapping coming off string cheese. He’s a huge Trion Bulldog fan, proudly wearing the school colors on his collar, and he’s been to several games.

Prescuit is a lhaso apso and is named after Prescott, Ariz., a place near and dear to Joy’s heart. When asked about the spelling difference, Joy replied, “Prescuit (pronounced like ‘biscuit’) is how the locals pronounce ‘Prescott.’”

Prescuit is very sensitive to Joy’s emotions. If she’s having a bad day, he hangs his head down, as if he’s sad. Joy has returned to school, so Prescuit stays with her mom, where he plays with Oscar and enjoys being spoiled. Prescuit gives Joy unconditional love, even when he has been scolded.

“He may pout when he doesn’t get his way, and he makes this funny little whimpering sound, but he never leaves my side,” says Joy. “He is a great sounding board for me; he listens very intently to everything I say. He is my little love.”

Joy says that Prescuit is involved in every part of her life. They are a team. Friends might inquire, “Where are Joy and Prescuit?” — sometimes even putting Prescuit’s name first — but Joy is okay with that, smiling as she remembers how far she’s come with the help of Prescuit.

Ann Malone is a pet photographer and can't remember a time she did not have pets in her life. Today she has three dogs, three cats and one parrot. She can be reached at annmh@live.com.