'Dogs bring love and joy wherever they go'
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Dogs have a long history of providing comfort to their human companions. That skill could be a big benefit for people who associate a trip to the dentist with feelings of trepidation and anxiety.
Ed Wiggins, DDS, first brought his family's goldendoodle, Ruby, into the office to keep an eye on her. But soon Ruby became a member of the team. She calmly greets patients, and many of them request she be there for their appointments.
Dr. Wiggins tells Dental Bite about Ruby's introduction at D2O Dental in Sacramento and how she interacts with patients.
How did Ruby first come into your life? How did you decide to start bringing her into the office?
Like a lot of people getting bored during the pandemic, we got our pandemic puppy, Ruby, in late summer 2020. Our kids were 7 at the time, and they begged for a puppy. The old story of "Yeah, it will be our dog" and all that.
I wasn’t ready for another dog as my beloved Bruce had passed about a year prior, but my wife encouraged it, and the kids begged enough to make it happen. We decided on a golden retriever poodle mix as we like the look of them, but they are also hypoallergenic and don't shed as much as a pure golden. I wanted a smaller version, but my wife found her, and once kids see a puppy, it’s hard to say no. We got Ruby when she was 3 to 4 months old. She was a real terror as a puppy. Hard to house train and loved to bite and eat everything and everyone, but eventually she came into her own and became a reasonable home companion.
Did Ruby require any specific training to fill her role as an emotional support dog?
I decided to bring her into the office out of what felt like necessity. Fast forward to Ruby as a 4-year-old when the kids were starting back to school. I didn’t have anyone to hang out with Ruby. Sacramento is too hot to leave her outside all day. My wife travels a lot for work. And so I took a chance to see how she would do in the office for a day.
I was pleasantly surprised. There was a light switch that went off in her head. She knew I was trusting her with something important, I could sense. Within my practice, she became way more mellow and careful. Her tail didn’t even wag with such ferocity as it normally would. She instinctively knew not to go into the actual operatories without an invitation. She calmly greets each patient, gets a few pets in, then comes to my office. And this is all without any specific training. Somehow, she just knows what to do.
How did you and your staff prepare initially to introduce her to patients? What kind of protocols are in place for staff responsibilities for Ruby and patient interaction?
My team doesn’t need to do anything really. We have a sign at the front desk introducing her, and it says if the patient is uncomfortable with her for any reason, she can have a nap in my office and close the door. Only maybe once or twice has it been an issue, more with a patient who was attacked by a dog as a child.
Every now and again, if my procedure is going through lunch for some reason, I’ll have someone walk her around the block. But mostly she’s fine until lunch, and we go on a nice walk so she can chase some squirrels around.
What are the benefits of having Ruby in the office? What kind of response have you seen from patients?
The benefits to the office, I think, are pretty profound. She takes the edge off our team and anxious patients. She’s been really well received by patients, with many requesting she be there for their appointments. If we are running behind, she gives patients a little entertainment by bringing them her favorite stuffed animal. After appointments are done, she can’t wait to see her new friend and patients as if to say congratulations!
Dogs bring love and joy wherever they go and my dental office is no different. It’s also great for dogs. They love being helpful and around people. I think it gives them purpose and makes them happier.
Do you have any advice for other dental practices considering adding a dog to their team?
This one’s tough because I only have experience with my own dog. The signage is important so patients know they have a choice in their level of interaction.
Have a special spot for the dog to go to. For us, it’s a little nook oin my office. Dogs like to have a cave-like area to be able to retreat to. Bring your dog to an office meeting first to see how the dog responds while there are no patients there. Have time set aside in the day to get out of the office for half an hour. Get stylish food and water bowls that fit your decor. Make sure your dog is not a safety risk for patients, themselves or team members. Encourage behavior through treats. After Ruby greets a patient, if I’m around, she gets a treat.
Edited for brevity and clarity.
Above: Ruby, D20 Dental's office mascot (courtesy).
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