Ahwatukee dentist employs therapy dogs to calm patients' fears

You've seen them in schools, hospitals, even senior centers. But what about the dentist office?

Therapy dogs have a way of making people feel better, and that caught the attention of a dental office in Ahwatukee.

Dr. Anita Marra said she came up with the idea of bringing therapy dogs into the office after seeing how well they interacted with kids at local hospitals and clinics.

Marra and her husband Bob had worked with therapy animals before and thought they'd be perfect for helping dental patients overcome their fear and anxiety.

"It's amazing how much it calms down patients," Marra said. "We are using less nitric oxide, less local anesthetic. Even patients who aren't afraid say it's much more relaxing."

The two therapy dogs roaming the halls at Foothills Family Dental office are mini Goldendoodles named Mia and Bella.