Dental clinics in Japan hire therapy dogs to make patients feel calmer (3 photos)

One pediatric clinic started offering this service 20 years ago, and in all these years, the animals have not harmed anyone.





In Japan, against the backdrop of declining birth rates and high competition in business, some dental clinics have begun offering companion dog services.

For example, a pediatric dental clinic in Ibaraki Prefecture, which is located on the island of Honshu in central Japan, has been hiring therapy dogs for two decades.

The idea came to the founder of the Suzuki clinic after she interacted with a therapy dog, a golden retriever named Flora. She invited Flora and her owner to her clinic and was amazed that the dog was not afraid of the noise from the drill or strong smells.



After that, Suzuki brought in more therapy dogs to her clinic, especially small breeds, so that they could lie directly on the patient or comfortably sit next to him during treatment. The animals are noted to remain motionless throughout the session.

Many clients enjoyed interacting with the therapy dogs, and positive reviews were received, and the service gradually became a regular feature.

"The feeling of the dog's warmth seems to relax the children during treatment," Suzuki noted.



The clinic reported that in 20 years, the dogs have not harmed anyone during such sessions.

To attract customers, Japanese dental clinics are also opening restaurants and cafes on hospital grounds, gyms with fitness trainers, and dressing nurses in maid costumes.