In Concepción, Chile, there are three furry employees who never miss their shift.
Zeus and Chloe are siblings, both Yorkshire Terriers. Santi is a Shih Tzu. All three work at Salud BioBío dental clinic, and their task is not easy: to sit next to a terrified patient, just before the sound of the dental drills begins, and help ease the fear a little.
The program has been running for four years and was created with children on the autism spectrum or with disabilities in mind, for whom the sound of dental instruments can be unbearable. Over time, it also opened up to adults with severe phobias or previous traumas, people who put off an appointment for years simply because of fear.
Zeus, Chloe, and Santi underwent rigorous training: they learned to tolerate high-pitched sounds, sudden movements, and the tension of a dental office, always under the supervision of their handlers. Their job is simple and profound at the same time: to stay close, convey calm, and remind the patient that they are not alone in that chair.