Treatment for Turning Point Tank

Tancredo “Tank” is the Turning Point Program’s very first therapy dog. To understand Tank, you need to understand Turning Point. Turning Point is a court program designed to provide recovery opportunities for people who struggle with substance dependency and are on felony supervision in the criminal justice system. Formerly known as “Drug Court”, Turning Point’s mission is to improve the overall quality of life in our community by providing effective court-supervision and enhanced treatment services so that we have help change behaviors. Many of Turning Point’s participants have mental health needs as well, and Turning Point provides treatment to assist with those concerns. As you might imagine, the courtroom can be an overwhelming place. Enter Tank.

Tank started as a pup on location at Dayton Correctional Institution, in the service dog program. Fortunately for the people in Turning Point, Tank quickly failed at that job. It was impossible for him to focus on one human because Tank had a passion for helping everyone. Once he graduated from his therapy dog program, Tank met his human: Jillian Zetts. Together, Jillian and Tank work in the field of recovery and court supervision. Tank offers comfort and compassion to those individuals who have to be in court and are working to reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction.

To see Tank is to love him. When you meet Tank, you immediately want to hug him, pet him or take a picture of him! And he happily obliges. Tank comes to court sessions and, with a wag of the tail, instantly puts the Turning Point participants at ease. Tank has also supported students at The University of Akron School of Law, taken field trips to Akron Public Schools, and often shows up at community events. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Tank knows his signature lean, his gentle nudges for more pets, and his classic happy smile. Tank provides exactly what the world needs, more happiness.

On April 27, 2023, Tank and his human received devastating news. Tank was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Tank underwent surgery on May 9, 2023 to increase the margins in his mouth and check his lymph nodes. It went well and they were able to successfully extract a lymph node for biopsy, and reach the margins in his mouth that needed to be extracted. His oncologist confirmed his lymph node sample was negative. Not good or bad news, it was what she expected. Tank has had four chemo-like injections and will receive booster injections every three months. Tank and his humans are aggressively treating his cancer while ensuring a high quality of life for him. Unfortunately, his diagnosis means that Tank will always have malignant melanoma.

Because Tank works for the court system, the court and Turning Point aren’t permitted to solicit money to support his wellbeing. But we love Tank and his human so we are asking the community Tank supports daily to support him. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated and will go towards his care and the work he does.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Fun facts about Tank:

Born: September 22, 2016

Breed: Golden Retriever

Hobbies: Zoomies, playing with friends and meeting new people. Dressing up for pictures! Proof on his Facebook page “Turning Point Tank”

Favorite Drink: Starbucks Pup Cup

Favorite Foods: Apples, bananas and watermelon

Favorite Movie: Air Bud