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After Ellie Mae joins dentist’s team, challenge issued to adopt more dogs

There’s a patient, anxious about their procedure at the dentist’s office and while they know everything is going to be OK, the lights, the discomfort and all the little things add up.

But the click-clack of paws is heard coming across the floor and all of a sudden Ellie Mae, a black-and-white mottled shepherd/pointer/other, is in their lap and the soothing sensation of an affectionate friend calms and comforts.

Ellie Mae is one of two dogs that Dr. Tara Green brings to her office and is a recent addition to the team; she was adopted from the Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society shelter on E. Morris Boulevard earlier this month and is already making a difference in the lives around her.

“I had seen where they were really looking for people to take in some of the dogs around the cold weather, and I said, ‘I got room for another dog, and there are so many dogs that need homes.’” Green said. “Ellie Mae is really gentle, and she gently crawls up in people’s laps like between their legs while they get dental work done, and they just pet her head. She’s just a very calming presence, and it seems like she feels like she’s found her purpose. She’s excited to come in every day.”

And now Green wants to encourage others to bring some joy into their lives by adopting an animal from the shelter.

At first, she considered sponsoring some adoptions, but she found out that sponsored adoptions frequently lead to returned dogs or folks who can’t afford care.

“So I was trying to find ways that I can help (encourage adoptions)… …and I know that people are having a hard time finding a dentist right now because I’m currently not taking new patients, and so I thought there’s something that I can offer that not everybody could offer,” she said.

So she got together with the shelter and here is what they came up:

Anyone who adopts a dog from the shelter on Friday or Saturday this weekend will receive a free dental exam, a free cleaning and free bitewing x-rays.

There are terms that are detailed on the MHHS Facebook page.

“A lot of people talk about adopting a dog for emotional support or to make them into working dogs, but to actually see it in practice is, it’s very heartwarming,” MHHS Executive Director Carlee Stevenson said.

Stevenson said their board of directors and volunteers are always trying to figure out new ways to encourage adoption and there are several events coming up that will hopefully capture people’s attention including an event with a Knoxville television personality, overlapping with this weekend’s event, another incentive offered by someone in the community:

“Between now and March 6th, when you adopt, you’ll receive a FREE women’s haircut AND eyebrow wax generously donated by Holly Marie – Luxury Hair & Brow Artist at Xtreme Beauty right here in Morristown!”

More details about this offer can also be found on the MHHS Facebook page.