If you book an appointment at Wild Springs, there is a reasonable chance you will be greeted at some point by Bella. She is my dog, she spends most days at the practice with me, and she takes her unofficial role as head of hospitality extremely seriously.
Let me be upfront about what Bella is and is not. She is not a certified therapy dog, and having her around is not animal-assisted therapy. I make no clinical claims about her whatsoever, and frankly she would not want the pressure. She is company. A warm, calm presence in the room, the same way the plants and the soft lighting are part of the space.
That said, I have watched a lot of children walk through the door with their shoulders up around their ears, spot Bella, and visibly soften. There is something about a dog that does not care how your morning went. She does not ask questions, she does not hold a clipboard, and she thinks you are wonderful for simply existing. For plenty of children, and honestly for plenty of adults, saying hello to Bella is the bridge between the car park and the session.
She is well mannered about it. Bella does not jump, she does not push in, and she has a good sense for when someone would rather be left alone. Mostly she settles on her bed in the corner and supervises. Some children like her nearby while they work. Some forget she exists within four minutes. Both are completely fine.
And if dogs are not your thing, that is fine too. Some people are allergic, some are frightened of dogs, and some simply prefer a dog-free room. Tell me when you book, or whenever it comes up, and Bella will happily spend the session elsewhere. She holds no grudges. The space is set up around whatever helps you or your child feel settled, and for some people that means no dog. No negotiation needed, no explanation required.
For new families, Bella is never in a session without a parent's okay first. She is also brushed and washed regularly and kept up to date with her vet care, because a practice dog should be the least complicated thing in the room.
So that is Bella. Not part of the treatment, very much part of the place. If a calm space with a resident dog sounds like your child's kind of thing, or if you would like to arrange a Bella-free appointment, book a consult and we will sort out the details together. No pressure either way.