Since March 2020, my office has been upgraded with the presence of a therapy dog named Raffi. The response to him, thus far, has been very positive.

Raffi was born in July 2016 and he is a 33-pound Australian Labradoodle who is an American Kennel Club Certified Therapy Dog. He has hair, not fur, and does not shed. He has a very docile and sweet disposition. It will be your choice to have him near you or seated next to me. Your comfort is my top priority and it is totally fine if you wish to have him sit away from you.

In a Wall Street Journal article, The Doctor’s Dog Will See You Now from December 20, 2010, Melinda Beck said, “A small but growing number of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other therapists are bringing their dogs to work in their private practices, where they help calm patients down, cheer them up and offer a happy distraction with a wagging tail . . . . Research shows that a few minutes of stroking a pet dog decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, in both the human and the dog. It also increases prolactin and oxytocin, hormones that govern nurturing and security, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that boost mood.”