Dr. Rachel Lewin, owner of Beyond Dentistry in Maple Glen, has partnered up with her service dog to offer a fluffy and comforting distraction for patients, writes Matteo Iadonisi for 6abc.

Lewin realized how helpful dogs can be while she was an undergraduate student. She had two disc herniations and needed long-term physical therapy.

“So, I had a Rottweiler named Nala and she helped me with physical tasks,” she said.

Sadly, Nala passed away, leaving Lewin with a void that needed to be filled. She met August Adventure when he was just four weeks old. Soon, she and the Goldendoodle became inseparable partners.

“We knew that one day I wanted to bring him into the office so that my patients could enjoy having him as a therapy dog,” said Lewin.

After detours in Nebraska and Tennessee, Lewin opened Beyond Dentistry in her home state in 2021. There, patients can ask to have August sit on their laps.

“He offers deep pressure therapy for anxiety in the dental chair,” said Lewin.

Lewin, who holds various volunteer leadership positions in the greater community of organized dentistry, was awarded with the Pennsylvania Dental Association’s 2023 10 Under 10 Award.

Read more the service dog August Adventure and about Beyond Dentistry at 6abc.