Studies have shown that interacting with dogs increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, which keep us calm and relaxed, especially in stressful situations. Dr. Jamie Childress, who has been a dentist for 18 years, understands this all too well.
Going to the dentist is often scary. “Most of it comes from bad experiences and sounds from the past,” she said. “People often say the sound of drills is annoying. Dentistry also involves a lot of intrusion into personal space.”
Fortunately, for patients who come to her practice, Warrenton Dental, there is a panacea to this anxiety. Delivered in a fluffy and friendly 15-pound package. Charleston Peaches (nicknamed Charlie) is an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whose job it is to hug and comfort patients young and old.
Charlie was originally adopted by Dr. Childress' then three-year-old daughter Piper, who suffered from anxiety disorders, and began working with her mother, a dentist, when she was 12 weeks old.
Charlie is an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whose job it is to hug and comfort patients young and old. She will be “working” with Dr. Childress from 12 weeks old.
“When we got her, she weighed only a few pounds. I couldn't leave her alone all day because I had to go out every two hours.” Dr. Childress thought that if they locked Charlie in a crate in the back, no one would notice.
That's how it started, but the crate life didn't last long. “She was so adorable that we couldn't hide her. As soon as we took her out, patients would look at her and staff would want to play with her. It quickly progressed and patients started watching her in the waiting room. They started wanting to hug her and just keep holding her. She just lay in their lap while they were undergoing surgery, and it soon became a trend. .”
Dr. Childress saw how much his patients benefited from having Charlie with him, so he had Charlie formally trained as a therapy/emotional support dog when he was 5 months old.
“Charlie absolutely loves his job and takes his responsibilities seriously,” she said. “She loves greeting patients when they come into the office and sitting on their laps while they receive dental treatment. When we were closed due to COVID-19, she I was very depressed because I couldn't achieve my purpose in life.”
Charlie is happy to be back at work and loves having his ears stroked and petted by patients and staff alike. In some cases, scenarios arise where multiple patients request Charlie at the same time.
“Our office has grown tremendously over the past eight years, doubling our space and doubling the number of patients we see at one time. not.”
Dr. Childress never expected Charlie to have such a big impact on her practice. “This has really created a niche market. We'll probably get more new patients because of her than anything else.”
Of course, the dental care provided by Dr. Childress, her sister-in-law Dr. Sarah Garris, and Dr. Tyler Antonelli at Warrenton Dental and her caring and welcoming staff also has a lot to do with this growth. The practice offers a wide range of dental treatments, from simple cleanings and fillings to more complex oral surgery, cosmetic services, and restorative needs.
Charlie is joined by a new therapy dog, Ginger, who is in training.
“None of this would work without my team,” Dr. Childress said. “Everyone is working very hard to make sure all of Charlie's needs are met. Charlie has about 10 of his moms in the office and she loves it.”
Warrenton resident Prudence Sheffield added: She is kind, loving, and of course adorable. Even if you're nervous about going to your girlfriend's dentist, you can distract her by letting her snuggle into your lap, just as you would with her dog, as it will calm her down. . ”
Becky Fitzwater of Bealton agrees. “Warrenton Dental is a great practice with great dentists, great staff, and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. On top of that, they have Charlie. Charlie is always there for patients who need comfort. , she'll give you a hand. If you need a kiss, she'll take care of it.”
Dr. Childress loves being able to contribute to the town where she grew up and where she and her husband, Billy, are now raising their children. “I married my high school sweetheart, and he and I have a lot of connections in town. It just feels like family.”
Her son Caleb, who started helping out at the practice when he was 14, plans to one day follow in his mother's footsteps and work alongside her.
“I've always loved the environment and as I got older I started seeing what they were doing,” he said.
Charlie will continue to provide love and support to his patients, but now he has some help. Ginger, another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a distant cousin of Charlie, also joined the practice in January.
