Why Cutie?

Therapy Dog Support

Children at our clinic are welcomed by Cutie, our Chief Happiness Officer — a gentle, affectionate, and highly intuitive 7-year-old Maltese. His calm demeanor and natural bond with children provide comfort during evaluations and serve as positive reinforcement during therapy sessions. He embodies the values of the CUTIE CARE program: warmth, trust, encouragement, and excellence in pediatric care.

The presence of a therapy dog in clinical settings has been shown to provide meaningful benefits for children and families. Cutie's role at our clinic is to create a welcoming, calming environment that supports our therapeutic goals through his gentle presence and natural ability to connect with children through multiple mechanisms:

• Stress Reduction and Emotional Regulation: Animal-assisted interventions have been shown to reduce cortisol levels and promote the release of oxytocin, supporting emotional regulation and reducing anxiety during clinical encounters.
• Social Engagement and Communication: Interaction with therapy animals can serve as a bridge to social communication, encouraging nonverbal and verbal expression while reducing social anxiety in children with autism.
• Motivation and Therapeutic Engagement: Research indicates that children demonstrate increased motivation and sustained attention during therapy sessions when therapy animals are present, enhancing treatment outcomes.
• Sensory Integration Support: The tactile experience of interacting with Cutie provides proprioceptive and tactile input that can support sensory processing and self-regulation strategies.
• Positive Reinforcement and Behavioral Support: Cutie's presence serves as a natural reinforcer, supporting positive behavioral interventions and creating opportunities for practicing appropriate social behaviors in a low-pressure environment.
• Family-Centered Care Enhancement: Animal-assisted interventions support family engagement by creating a welcoming, non-clinical atmosphere that reduces parental stress and enhances the therapeutic alliance between families and providers.

Cutie's integration into our clinical model represents our commitment to evidence-based, holistic care that addresses not only the clinical needs of our patients but also their emotional well-being and quality of life. His presence exemplifies the core philosophy of CUTIE CARE: that therapeutic progress happens best in an environment of warmth, acceptance, and joy.