Boy with Autism Afraid of Dentist’s Chair Until Service Dog Gets Her Teeth Checked First

Boy with Autism Afraid of Dentist’s Chair Until Service Dog Gets Her Teeth Checked First
Riley, 7, with his autism service dog, Willow, during his first visit to the dentist on May 28. Courtesy of Nicole Duggan
Updated:

A 7-year-old boy with autism, terrified of the dentist’s chair, summoned the bravery to open his mouth wide thanks to his loyal service dog who had her teeth checked first.

Mom Nicole Duggan of Cork in Ireland shared about Riley’s first visit to the dentist in a social media post. To say that her little boy was just anxious was an “understatement,” she wrote.