A female patient is desperately frustrated as her daughter is autistic. Joanie's daughter and a dog are given names.

Sydney sympathizes with a young girl who is to go to college next year and reminds her of herself in that age, as does her father, Jim, with an old bulldog whose master just has died.

Darla is a blacklisted patient and when Syd shows her good will to help she's punched in the nose. Jim and Robbie take drastic methods in use to help a chimpanzee in trouble at the local zoo.

A baby boy needs immediate treatment at the clinic but his father demands a male doctor. Kyle and Jerry both put serious choices to Syd.

A dog is severely hurt when it saves a boy from being knocked down, and Joanie invites to her second wedding with Richie.

A young stripper with back pain saves money for a breast reduction operation, and Syd offers to do it. Cynthia's dog has become lazy in breeding sessions and Joanie enters a cooking contest. Vince tempts Robbie continuously to bet.

Robbie is in a tough betting situation as Vince demands money paid quickly. Syd attracts more interest to her clinic than the hospital's chief fund raiser likes. Jim gets a new assistant, Heather, as Joaney joins the cooking school where she quickly gets a date.

Syd offers Lilly a job at the clinic, but her new foster parents wants her to work in their shop. Robbie uses one of his father's client's dogs to earn easy money. Joanie gets a double-edged offer from Japanese business.

Dad takes a vacation to witness seals' births, so he gives instructions to Robbie, who also babysits Hannah for 'businesswoman' Joanie, whose partner Brady Pullman just dumped his girlfriend. Lily announces she may switch jobs from her foster parents to Syd's clinic after all--but actually, they had caught her smoking and kicked her out and she has nowhere else to go. When Syd proposes taking her in 'for awhile,' Joanie welcomes another babysitter and Robbie welcomes her to stay in his attic because he has found a 'bat cave' to housesit.

Mark wants Lily to join him in a school dance. A local Mob boss has an old dog at Jim's clinic and his son romances Syd intensely. A young sports runner is training too much. Joanie happens to make terrific dog's food that inspires a new business project.

An iguana makes way for a special connection between Robbie and Heather, Jim helps Lily with a practical school project. Syd seems to be buried with gifts from her admirer. A landscaper has aching stomach and head. Brady is uncomfortable with Hannah.

Paul donates a new roof to Syd's clinic. An old friend, Nick from the DA, warns her against further involvement with Paul. Robbie suggests a local TV commercial for the Barkery. Jackie, 14, seeks help at Syd's clinic alone.

Kyle is back in town on a surprise visit, and Lily asks an old friend to leave her alone. Heather announces she's to leave her job as Jim's assistant, and he asks Robbie to talk her to stay.