Ilima nods, relaxing at the touch. It's reassuring to him. He doesn't think twice about him moving his hand lower, though he does tighten up slightly, quick to force himself to relax so the Growlithe isn't uncomfortable.

"Thank you. That's very reassuring," he says, smiling somewhat. He has no reason not to trust the facility and the researchers in it, and even if he had, it'd have been too late. Ilima only sees a professional environment, after all. He waits until the Growlithe's knot starts to lessen in swelling, relaxing more as the minutes go by.