Mr. Apollo

Apollo is a 6-year-old Rottweiler. He's 110 pounds of muscle and is also the gentlest soul in the building. People sometimes pause at the door when they first see him, and Apollo understands. He knows he looks intimidating. That's part of why he's here: he's living proof that what's on the outside doesn't tell the whole story.

Apollo's official duties include greeting clients, leaning his full weight against anyone who looks like they need it, and doing slow laps of the office. Unofficially, he's the practice's resident expert in rest. He naps without guilt, stretches often, and never apologizes for taking up space. Our clinicians say he models healthy boundaries better than most textbooks.

His therapeutic specialties include:

• Grounding techniques: mostly resting his big head on your knee until your breathing slows down.
• Nonjudgmental listening: he has never once interrupted anyone.
• Behavioral activation: he's very persuasive about the benefits of a short walk.
• Radical acceptance: of treats, belly rubs, and whoever walks through the door.

When he's off duty, Apollo enjoys squeaky toys he's much too big for, sunny patches of carpet, and snoring loudly during staff meetings.