PennWell Dental Community
Take Your Dog To Work Day Every Day!
Scene: A typical dental office. Action: Patient lying back in the dental chair with napkin around his neck, as the dentist begins a procedure. Now here’s where the scene changes from usual — out from under the napkin pops the tiny, cute head of an adorable Yorkshire terrier! Even more unusual, the patient is not surprised. The dog lays back down in the patient’s lap, and the patient rubs the back of this adorable terrier all through the procedure.
Welcome to the dental practice of Dr. Ray Armstrong in Colorado Springs, Colo., where Take Your Day To Work Day —today, Friday, June 20 — is every day.
Dr. Armstrong and his practice were featured briefly (you know, one of those “you blink, and it’s over”) in a segment of NBC’s “Today” show this morning. We don’t know which Yorkshire terrier had the starring role this morning, but we do know that it was either Tika or Rylee, owned by Dr. Armstrong’s dental hygienist, Kaylyn Sievert. Also assisting the dental staff is Owen the poodle, rescued from a dog mill by dental assistant Andi DuPius.
The dogs greet the patients when they come in for their appointments, sit on their laps during treatment, and just generally put a smile on patients’ faces. Office manager Anita Cardoza was quoted in an article on June 18 in Colorado Springs’ The Gazette as saying, “Patients love it and look forward to seeing the dogs because their presence is very calming.”
As a dog lover myself, I couldn’t agree more! Now if I could just find a dentist in Tulsa who does this. Or, better still, I could volunteer my two adorable dogs, Andre the poodle and Bailey Bear the bichon, to be my own employer’s calming influence. I can dream, can’t I?
Happy Take Your Dog to Work Day!
Welcome to the dental practice of Dr. Ray Armstrong in Colorado Springs, Colo., where Take Your Day To Work Day —today, Friday, June 20 — is every day.
Dr. Armstrong and his practice were featured briefly (you know, one of those “you blink, and it’s over”) in a segment of NBC’s “Today” show this morning. We don’t know which Yorkshire terrier had the starring role this morning, but we do know that it was either Tika or Rylee, owned by Dr. Armstrong’s dental hygienist, Kaylyn Sievert. Also assisting the dental staff is Owen the poodle, rescued from a dog mill by dental assistant Andi DuPius.
The dogs greet the patients when they come in for their appointments, sit on their laps during treatment, and just generally put a smile on patients’ faces. Office manager Anita Cardoza was quoted in an article on June 18 in Colorado Springs’ The Gazette as saying, “Patients love it and look forward to seeing the dogs because their presence is very calming.”
As a dog lover myself, I couldn’t agree more! Now if I could just find a dentist in Tulsa who does this. Or, better still, I could volunteer my two adorable dogs, Andre the poodle and Bailey Bear the bichon, to be my own employer’s calming influence. I can dream, can’t I?
Happy Take Your Dog to Work Day!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Hartley on -
Ol' Seattle, my wise Boston Terrier, is a big believer in tongue baths. In her heart, she believes in the advertising of skin care companies that say healthy skin is a reflection of your inner self and radiance. She will start licking at the wrist and diligently work her way up to the elbow. I usually shoo her away before she gets that far. Penny, that must be why you never comment on my inner beauty? But this kind of tongue bathing would do well in a dental office, eh? Just ask the patient to roll up the sleeve and relax as the hygienist cleans the teeth and the dog licks the arm clean into a nice sheen.
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Permalink Reply by Penny Anderson on -
Gee, Mark, I hadn't thought of that. Do you suppose that dentists who allow this have thought to include it in their marketing materials under "special services?" They certainly should!
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Permalink Reply by Mark Hartley on
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Very amusing, Ms. Anderson.
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Permalink Reply by Lory Laughter on -
We have an office dog, Bella, in our general practice. The DDS received her for fathers day 4 years ago and she has been with us since day 1. She is great with the patients, other than she still has a problem detecting those who do not want her on their laps in the waiting room. She waits to be called or invited before she enters a treatment room.
I have mixed feelings, but overall Bella has been a good addition. I don't like it when patients bring in their own pets. German shepards in my tiny op are always in the way.
My dog, Spencer, would love to have Bella's job, but most folks don't take as quickly to a 95 pound ball on their lap.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Hartley on
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Lory, what kind of a dog is Bella? In general, does the stay in the waiting room, or does she wander throughout the office?
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Permalink Reply by Lory Laughter on
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Bella is a West Highland Terrier. She tends to stay in the waiting room, or the docs office, but when invited she will accompany patients into the treatment room.
Today she was particularly hyper. (must be our newly smoke-free air outside) and spent the AM running up and down the hallway. Still, as soon as the door opens, she rolls over for a belly rub. Then back to the running.
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Permalink Reply by Penny Anderson on
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Very interesting, Lory. I wouldn't think that this would be exactly "calming" for patients. Do you get many comments one way or the other about the dog and how patients feel about it?
Penny
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Permalink Reply by Lory Laughter on
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The patients at this office are 'unique'. Most love the dog. Only about 10 request Bella to sit on their lap during treatment. Exactly 3 ask that the dog not be in the waiting room with them. We honor those requests as well.
Today, people have just been laughing at her. I guess it only drives me nuts. But, I only have 18 months left. I can keep quiet that long and go with the flow.
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Permalink Reply by Penny Anderson on
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Sounds like the dog has the patients trained! Well, I guess that works ... at least, in this case. What's up next for you, Lory? You say you have only 18 months left.
Penny
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Permalink Reply by Lory Laughter on
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I am leaving clinical practice in 18 months. What comes next is still up in the air. But it feels great to have a time table.
Lory
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Permalink Reply by Kirsten Brancheau on -
I knew a dentist who had cats in his office. They would jump up on the receptionist's counter looking for love. Now, I'm a cat and dog lover, but I don't think a dental office is an appropriate place for any animals. People may not say anything, but I bet some people leave the practice because of allergies or fear or just because they think animals are dirty and don't belong in a place where pet hair can go floating into their mouths as they open wide.
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Permalink Reply by Penny Anderson on
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Good points, Kirsten! I hadn't even thought about this, but you are absolutely right. It would be like having dogs (or cats) in the kitchen of a restaurant.
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