Sharp instruments. Scraping sounds. Scary moments. These are all part of the sometimes anxiety-filled scenarios when visiting the dentist. At our office, you’ll still hear the inevitable sounds of instruments at work but I can assure you, our VIP will soon make you forget your fears.

Our VIP is a Very Important Pup named Chance. He is a registered Pet Partner who provides comfort and reassurance to particularly fearful patients and children who are unsure of what dental care is all about. Chance is without a doubt our patients’ favorite staff member: he’s the one they ask to sit next to them during their appointments, and they bring him the most treats!

Pet Partners is a nonprofit organization that helps people live healthier and happier lives by incorporating therapy, service and companion animals into their lives. The staff is fantastic to work with in getting animals for a variety of environments. Chance is the third therapy animal in our practice, and just like the two before him — Chase and Chaz — he is extremely well-behaved, patient, gentle and loving. He is trained to greet patients when they first arrive and he stands ready to sit with them at their request.

The Pet Partner program was established in 1990 to ensure that “both ends of the leash,” people as well as animals, are well-prepared to participate in animal-assisted activity and animal-assisted therapy programs.

William D. Gilbert, DDS, PS, practices in Bellevue. To reach him, call (425) 957-4700.