Grayson the golden retriever officially hung up her working vest this summer after eight years as the UNC Adams School of Dentistry’s full-time rehabilitative facility dog for pediatric dental patients.

“We are so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with one of our favorite teammates, Grayson, for so many years,” said Dr. Janet Guthmiller, dental school dean. “Her impact cannot be understated, and we wish her many happy years to come.”

Grayson came to Carolina in October 2018 as a 2-year-old graduate of the Wilmington-based paws4people Foundation. As a puppy, she underwent socialization for nearly a year within the West Virginia prison system, followed by more than 1,000 hours of specialized behavioral and clinical de-escalation training.

In a clinical environment often filled with sensory overload, including unfamiliar smells, drill noises and potentially intimidating instruments and equipment, Grayson possessed a unique ability to make fear disappear. Grayson frequently served as a living, breathing weighted blanket, gently jumping into the dental chair and lying across the patient’s lap to lower stress, ease intense anxiety and bring smiles to young dental patients.

One of her handlers recalled a particularly moving moment when a young girl began crying during a tooth extraction. Without waiting for a formal command, Grayson recognized the emotional crisis, walked directly to the chair and rested her head gently on the child’s lap until the procedure was completed.

Beyond her clinical service, Grayson contributed to data supporting the use of facility dogs as a safe, nonpharmacologic approach to managing dental anxiety. The golden retriever was the model for canine intervention in clinical trials for groundbreaking research led by Dr. Laura Jacox, assistant professor of orthodontics.

A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association validated what Grayson’s handlers already knew: Pediatric patients who interacted with a therapy dog experienced significantly less postoperative pain, maintained more stable heart rates during stressful moments and showed longer durations of physical relaxation.

Grayson’s work also reshaped North Carolina dental regulations. In June 2021, the N.C. State Board of Dental Examiners made an exception to restrictions on animals in clinical settings by legally defining and protecting certified facility dogs like Grayson, a national first.

Beyond her pediatric patients, Grayson was an emotional anchor for the entire campus. She was a fixture at community service events like Give Kids a Smile Day and a highly anticipated guest at the Health Sciences Library during the Week of Balance, helping dental and medical students manage intense exam stress.

“While thousands of children benefited from her comforting presence as a facility dog, her influence extended far beyond our clinics,” said Dr. Jessica Lee, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and one of Grayson’s handlers as a member of the dental school faculty. “She offered reassurance during times of stress, healing during times of sadness and moments of joy when our community needed them most. We are profoundly grateful for her years of service and for the love, comfort and hope she brought to Carolina.”

Now Grayson is ready for her next chapter in retirement with her primary handler and housemate, Dr. Siggi Saemundsson. The retired professor of pediatric dentistry and dental public health often marveled at Grayson’s dual life. The moment she put on her official working vest, her consummate professionalism emerged, he said, but at home, she is a relaxed, playful family pet.

In retirement, Grayson will finally get to enjoy that “vest-off” lifestyle full time.

Read more about Grayson.