A group of dogs showed no fear of the dentist’s chair as they joined their owners for a day’s work at a Hampstead dental surgery.

Dentist Dr Jay Prashar, 48, and colleagues at his Glow Dentistry practice, in Heath Street, brought their pets to work today as part of the first-ever Bring Your Dog To Work Day.

The new initiative, founded by Butch & Bess and LoveSniffys, aims to raise funds for animal charities.

Dr Prashar and his wife Irene, who works as a secretary at Glow Dentistry, brought their two-year-old Cockapoo Toffee to work with them on Friday.

Dr Prashar said: “It was interesting. It didn’t disrupt the flow, it was a relaxed atmosphere. The dogs would go out for a little walk then come back again.

“They were just sitting around, they were in a home environment because they were with their owners.

“We occasionally have the odd patient who brings their pet in because they are quite calming. Anything in a dental environment that can calm you is probably a good thing.

“But generally on a hygiene level we wouldn’t allow it in a clinical setting.”

Hampstead resident Leaan Young, founder of LoveSniffys, started the initiative with pet grooming company Butch & Bess and has managed to involve companies across the UK.

ITV daytime programme This Morning lent their support to the initiative with Eamonn Holmes and his wife and co-presenter Ruth Langsford bringing their beloved pooch Maggie in for today’s show.

Leann said: “Many scientific studies have shown that the presence of pets can substantially reduce a person’s stress level in the workplace and be beneficial to a person’s well being.

“We’re absolutely certain that Bring Your Dog To Work Day participants will create a new kind of Friday feeling in the company of man’s best friend.

“The amount of interest we’ve seen from businesses across the country has blown us away, so we’re really hopeful of raising some significant funds for the three animal organisations we’re working with.”

Businesses and individuals were encouraged to make online donations of £50 and £2 respectively to participate, with all proceeds split between the three chosen charities.

Businesses could also participate by becoming an official sponsor. In return for a minimum donation of £50, a company logo and website link for each business has been displayed on the Bring Your Dog to Work Day website.

For more information on the initiative, visit bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk