The Dog in the Dentist Chair

Being afraid is a common experience for people of all ages. For many people, the sound of drills and the bright lights trigger a full fight-or-flight response, even with numbing shots or laughing gas. That’s where therapy dogs come in.

Some dental offices now use trained dogs like Pearl, a five-year old Samoyed, who sits on patients’ laps to lower stress during scary procedures. Early studies show that when anxiety drops, dentists often need less medication because they’re treating the fear, not just the pain. This idea reflects a growing trend in healthcare: using human-centered, non-medical solutions to support mental and emotional health while still doing serious clinical work.

Your Task:

Think like a healthcare professional who looks for creative ways to reduce stress using therapy dogs in situations where people often feel nervous, overwhelmed, or scared. This can be something students, adults, or families experience.

Your submission: Brainstorm how therapy dogs could help in that situation. Write a short plan that includes:
• The event or setting
• Who is feeling stressed there
• Why the therapy dog would help reduce anxiety and stress

Example:
• Event: First day of middle school
• Who’s stressed: New students
• How the dog helps: A therapy dog greets students at the entrance so they can pet it before class, helping calm nerves and reduce anxiety about first-day jitters.

Photo: Courtesy of CBS News