Dentist Battles State Ban to Keep Therapy Dog in his Office
Kory Kirkegaard, DMD, is fighting to overturn a Kansas Dental Board decision banning his beloved therapy dog, Ivy, from his Overland Park office during business hours. Despite meeting state requirements and passing inspection, the certified poodle has been sidelined.
In a move that’s sparking both outrage and empathy, Kansas dentist Kory Kirkegaard, DMD, is pushing back against a state ban that has barred his certified therapy dog, Ivy, from his practice during patient hours. The 4-year-old standard poodle has been a calming fixture at The Art of Dentistry in Overland Park for over 2 years, offering gentle companionship to nervous patients until the Kansas Dental Board (KDB) stepped in.
Despite Ivy being bathed frequently, certified as hypoallergenic, and meeting all statutory definitions of a professional therapy dog, the KDB has prohibited her presence during business hours, citing general sanitary concerns. This decision came just months after a state inspection deemed the office fully compliant with infection control standards.
The mixed messages have left Kirkegaard confused and frustrated. He presented scientific evidence and patient testimonials supporting Ivy’s role during an April 2025 board meeting, but the board upheld the ban unanimously. Now represented by legal counsel, Kirkegaard is fighting to reinstate Ivy, arguing that the decision could negatively impact similar programs across Kansas. Click here to read more.
