Meet Margo, the Enliven Wellness Therapy Dog
By Julie Perine on June 23, 2018
Formerly Enliven Chiropractic, Enliven Wellness has celebrated several milestones. The most recent is the first birthday of itsnewest staff member.
A silver lab with a shining personality, Margo is Enliven’s unofficial therapy pup. Upon completion of training, she will take on a more official role, but she has already won the hearts of the patients.
“They love her,” said Marketing Manger Tina Taylor. “Margo greets people when they come in and makes them feel welcome. Sometimes spouses come and while they are waiting, they take her outside and walk her.”
Having a resident canine gives Enliven a homey feel, Taylor said. For the past nine months, Margo has been getting her feet wet in the wellness business. Once trained, she will take on a more active role.
“She will basically roam the halls and just go to whoever needs her at the time,” said Dr. James Leonette, founder of Enliven and one of its three chiropractors. “She’ll be here for emotional support.”
A past professional experience inspired Leonette to bring a dog into his already thriving business.
“In my clinic in Virginia, we always had a black lab. They are awesome because they can read personalities and read pain, always going to people who need them,” he said. “Margo does the same thing. She breaks the ice with the kids who come here and with patients who are a little timid.”
Margo is quite popular at Enliven, but she is not overworked.
“She gets Fridays off,” Taylor said.
When she’s not at Enliven, she lives with her twin sister Rita and the Leonette family.
The labs joined the household in August of 2017 when they were three months old. Because of her personality, Margo earned the position of emotional therapy dog.
The dogs are equally lovable, but Rita is more of a spitfire and Margo is more docile. She is just perfect for her role at Enliven.
"She is super sweet and loving," said Leonette's wife Natalie. "If you pet her then stop, she will put her paw on your lap or hand to encourage you to continue."
As soon as Margo meets a new adult, child - or other animal - she is ready to give her love, Natalie Leonette said.
She's a happy lab, but seems happiest when the sun is shining and isn't crazy about rain and snow. She likes peanut butter and - as she is still a pup - she has been caught red-handed chewing office supplies.
"We are working on those quirks though," Natalie Leonette said.
On days when Margo stays home, patients notice and the environment in the front office changes,.
"She really livens things up for the staff. She is a true member of the team," Natalie Leonette said. "I think patients genuinely enjoy seeing her. Sometimes walking into an office is a very stiff or sterile feeling. Having an animal around makes everyone feel at home."
In addition to Margo, there are 10 staff members at Enliven, including Drs. Steven Show and Matt Mason.
In March, Enliven relocated from Main Street to 130 Professional Place in White Oaks.
Read more about Enliven HERE.
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