We had a similar experience at our practice. Even though I work in dentistry, my own son was super anxious about visits. We ended up trying a pediatric dentist who had a therapy dog in the office—total game changer. He went from dreading appointments to actually looking forward to them. Sometimes it's just about finding that right fit... Glad you found yours!
That's really encouraging to hear—therapy dogs sound amazing. I've been considering something similar, but I'm curious... did your son meet the dog beforehand, or was it just there during the appointment? Wondering how that initial introduction went.
Therapy dogs do sound great, but honestly, I'd be a bit cautious about introducing one right at the appointment. My daughter gets overwhelmed easily, so we arranged a quick meet-and-greet beforehand. Helped ease her anxiety a bit... might be worth asking about?
That's a really thoughtful approach. We had a similar experience with our son—he tends to get anxious in new situations, especially medical or dental appointments. When we first heard about therapy dogs at the dentist, it sounded amazing, but I was also a bit skeptical about how he'd react if the dog was just suddenly there during his appointment.
What worked for us was pretty similar to what you described. We arranged a short visit beforehand—not even an official appointment, just a quick stop-in—to meet the dog and see the office without any pressure. It gave him a chance to get familiar with the environment and ask questions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Honestly, it made such a difference. By the time his actual appointment rolled around, he already knew what to expect and felt more comfortable.
I think your idea of asking about a meet-and-greet is spot-on. Dentists who offer therapy dogs usually understand that kids (and parents!) might need some extra reassurance or preparation beforehand. And even if they don't typically offer it upfront, most are willing to accommodate if you bring it up.
Also, something else we found helpful was talking through exactly what would happen step-by-step before we went in—like "first we'll say hi to the receptionist, then we'll sit in the waiting room for a few minutes," etc. It sounds overly detailed maybe, but for anxious kids, knowing exactly what's coming next can really help ease their minds.
Anyway, sounds like you're already on the right track by being proactive and thinking ahead about your daughter's comfort level. Hope everything goes smoothly for you guys...
Therapy dogs can be amazing, but honestly, they're not always the best fit for every kid. I've seen some children who actually get more anxious around animals, even gentle ones. Your idea of a meet-and-greet beforehand is great, but I'd also suggest having a backup plan—maybe bringing along a favorite toy or comfort item, just in case the dog doesn't click with your child. Every kid is different, and sometimes familiar comforts work better than new experiences, no matter how cute and fluffy they are...
