Red is a certified therapy dog, he can go anywhere, but I never bring him into any place without permission, without making sure there is no one who is the least bit uncomfortable about seeing a dog. That rarely happens. Today I went to my dentist – the Cambridge Dental Practice – for a routine cleaning and I asked if they wanted Red to come, there was a loud chorus in the affirmative. He greeted his many friends on the staff and then spent some time with Gavin.
I stood back and watched these two for ten or fifteen minutes, I thought about the wonderful work therapy dogs like Red do, the great impact they have on people. One woman in her chair was very anxious and she came out to spend some time with Red. “Thank you,” she said, “I feel so much better.”