diff --git a/Assets/Scripts/Utils/BarkManager.cs b/Assets/Scripts/Utils/BarkManager.cs
index f1e3f3958..ad327b961 100644
--- a/Assets/Scripts/Utils/BarkManager.cs
+++ b/Assets/Scripts/Utils/BarkManager.cs
@@ -135,6 +135,13 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project structure
                 }
             }
         }
+        public void PlayBark(int num) // <<< METHOD RESTORED HERE
+        {
+            // This simply queues the request with a null target.
+            // The Update loop will handle dequeuing, checking playOnce,
+            // resolving the null target to Player.Instance, and playing.
+            PlayBarkFromQueue(num, null);
+        }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Plays a bark from the specified entry. Uses Player.Instance.transform for text barks if barkTarget is null.