New Team Member!
Meet Teddy: Our Newest (and Furriest) Team Member
By Tiffany Bogle, PT, DPT, Cert. DN
We’re excited to share some very special news at the clinic—we’ve added a new team member! His name is Teddy, and he’s our brand-new therapy dog in training. His handler is Dr. Tiffany, and this is her 2nd dog to train for therapy work alongside her in the clinic environment. Teddy is a mini goldendoodle puppy, which means he brings together intelligence, gentleness, and just the right amount of fluff.
While he doesn’t have a doctorate in physical therapy (yet), he does have a natural talent for comfort, encouragement, and brightening the room with a wagging tail.
Why a Therapy Dog in Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy can be challenging—physically and emotionally. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or rebuilding strength after an injury, it can feel vulnerable to work through your body’s limitations. Research shows that therapy animals can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mood. And when stress goes down, healing often improves.
Teddy’s role in the clinic is to help create a calmer, more welcoming environment and to remind patients that healing doesn’t have to feel cold or intimidating.
His presence can:
Help ease anxiety before or during sessions
Provide emotional support on difficult rehab days
Encourage participation and movement
Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
Add joy to the hard work of recovery
Sometimes the hardest part of therapy is simply showing up. If Teddy helps make that easier, he’s already doing meaningful work.
Teddy’s Training Journey
Because Teddy is still a puppy, he is beginning his journey as a therapy dog in training. He will be completing his obedience and public access training through K9 Companions, a professional training program that focuses on well-mannered, reliable dogs in real-world environments. If you are interested in learning more about his training or need a trainer for your own personal dog, please reach out to Karen Duet and her team at https://k-9companionsnashville.com/
Teddy will first work toward earning his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification. This test evaluates a dog’s ability to remain calm, polite, and responsive in public settings. After completing his CGC, Teddy will continue advanced training with the goal of becoming a fully certified therapy dog by two years of age—if not sooner.
This structured training ensures that Teddy is prepared to safely and appropriately support patients in a clinical environment.
What Will Teddy Do in the Clinic?
Teddy will likely be relaxing quietly during your session, or be able to offer a comforting presence when exercises or any part of your session feels tough. His job is never to interfere with treatment, but rather to support a positive and calm healing space.
And don’t worry—Teddy will never replace your therapist. He’s still working on his manual therapy skills ;)
Patient Comfort Always Comes First
We understand that not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Some patients may have allergies, fears, or simply prefer not to interact with Teddy. That is completely okay. Teddy’s presence is always optional, and your comfort is our top priority. Just let us know your preference and we will gladly accommodate.
We also maintain strict cleanliness and safety standards to ensure a healthy environment for all patients.
Why Teddy?
Teddy has a naturally calm temperament and a strong ability to connect with people. His personality aligns perfectly with our clinic’s philosophy of treating the whole person—not just the injury. Healing is physical, emotional, and mental, and Teddy helps reinforce that sense of support and encouragement.
Rehabilitation is about more than muscles and joints—it’s about confidence, motivation, and feeling safe in the process. Teddy helps us strengthen all of those.
Come Say Hello
We are thrilled to begin this journey with Teddy and look forward to introducing him to our patients as he grows and trains. Whether he helps you feel more at ease walking through the door or brings a smile on a tough day, we believe he will become a meaningful part of our care team.
Next time you’re in the clinic, keep an eye out for a fluffy face and a wagging tail—Teddy can’t wait to meet you.
