Willow’s Story: Therapy Dog Support
At Mint Dental Hygiene, patient care comes first — always.We are known for taking time, listening carefully, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable, respected, and genuinely looked after. Every element of the clinic experience is designed to support calm, trust, and high-quality care.Willow is a toy poodle who, over time, is intended to train as a therapy dog as part of Mint’s broader, mindful and patient-centred approach to wellbeing in healthcare settings.
Willow
Willow’s current status
Willow is young and still in development. She is not working, not providing therapy, and not involved in clinical treatment.Her presence in the clinic at this stage is limited, gentle, and intentional. This allows her to gradually become familiar with the sights, sounds, and rhythms of a dental environment in a calm, controlled way.Occasionally, and only with explicit patient consent, she may quietly meet patients who are comfortable and interested. These moments are brief and optional, with clear boundaries.This early exposure is about familiarity and confidence-building — not interaction, expectation, or attention.
The potential benefits of therapy dog
In healthcare settings, a properly trained therapy dog has been shown to:- Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels- Reduce heart rate and blood pressure in anxious patients- Improve emotional regulation during longer procedures- Create a grounding effect for patients who feel overwhelmed in clinical environmentsFor some individuals, this can mean:- Greater ability to attend and complete appointments- Less anticipatory anxiety before visits- Improved trust and sense of safety within the clinic- This is not universal — and it is not assumed.
How therapy dog support works during appointments
When therapy dog support is offered in the future, it will always be optional and patient-led.If requested and appropriate, Willow would typically:- Sit calmly on a patient’s lap or beside them on a chair or blanket- Remain still, quiet, and settled for grounding and reassurance- Be easily removed at any point if the patient changes their mind- There is no expectation to interact — some patients simply find comfort in her quiet presence.- Willow would never interfere with instruments, sterility, or treatment, and many appointments would continue exactly as normal, with no dog involved at all.- Patient comfort, consent, and clinical safety always come first.
Willow’s role — future, optional, and controlled
Willow is under a year old and currently focused on growth, training, and development. She is not involved in patient care at this stage.Her role would be:- Strictly opt‑in- Limited to patients who actively request this support- Carefully timed and positioned to avoid disruption- Invisible to patients who prefer a traditional, dog‑free experience- She would never roam freely, seek attention, or be part of routine appointments.
Hygiene, allergies, and clinical standards
Willow is a non‑shedding breed, selected with hygiene and allergy considerations in mind. That said:- Infection control standards will never be compromised- Any future involvement would be secondary to clinical care- Clear protocols would govern where, when, and how she is present
Clear boundaries — no personal dogs
Mint Dental Hygiene is a professional healthcare clinic.For clarity and consistency:- Patients may not bring personal dogs- Registered assistance dogs are, of course, welcomed in line with legal requirements- Any future therapy support would be limited strictly to Willow under controlled conditionsThis ensures safety, predictability, and respect for all patients and Willow.