Fur Babies and Mental Health

When I am up late writing and everyone is sleeping, I find myself falling down the social media rabbit hole of animal reels. The positive feelings I get from watching whales, bears, dogs, and other animals feel almost addictive. I make deals with myself… just 5 more reels and I promise I will go back to writing…That’s after I have forwarded a bunch of reels to others to share the joy. Then I glance over at Autumn and Kona, my mini retrievers, sleeping intertwined and I cannot help but smile, feeling a sense of calm, connection, and unconditional love. This can only be good for my health.

Then the following day, as every day, I walk miles, in the fresh air, with my fur babies. I often meet new people as well as my regulars. We talk as the dogs play with each taking delight in their joy. During COVID, when I only left my home to walk the dogs, the connections, even behind masks, were a blessing. My friends, the fresh air and physical exercise can only be good for my health.

As a hospice social worker, I have helped widows and widowers, who are not only coping with the devastation of the loss of their spouse but secondary losses as well. Examples of secondary losses are the loss of feeling loved, friendship, purpose, identity, touch, companionship, and structure, to name a few. They become isolated, lonely, and depressed. A dog or a cat, or other pets would be a wonderful support for them if they are able to care for them. If not, pet therapy is available and visiting other people’s pets would help as well. It would be a reason to leave their home, something to look forward to, help meet others and have the benefit of an animal’s touch and unconditional love.

How animals can help us

*Observing animals, including fish in an aquarium, and playing with our dogs and cats, can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine bringing happiness and a sense of calm, which can help with stress and anxiety. 

*You can connect with others by sharing pictures and stories. 

*Pets provide companionship, unconditional love, support, and a strong bond. A person will likely feel less lonely, less isolated, nurtured, and happier.

*Pets provide purpose as we care for them. This helps us feel needed and wanted and can take the focus away from our problems.

*They are there to talk to. They may not speak our language but their expressions and touch show understanding and communication. 

*Caring for them keeps us grounded and more focused, adding structure to our day. We must get out of bed to feed and walk them for example.

*Most (maybe not the fish) cuddle. That touch and connection is so important and may reduce anxiety and depression. Stroking an animal can help reduce stress.

*They can help you meet new people when you are out with them. 

*Caring for them increases our physical activity, especially if you have dogs and must walk them several times a day. 

*According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the company of a pet can help people who are living with depression. The pet provides unlimited affection and companionship.

Benefits of pet therapy dogs. (Although any animal that will increase your mental wellbeing and control stress is considered a pet therapy animal) (Information from The ESA Registration of America article 7 Most Unbelievable Facts About Therapy Dogs.) 

*Sometimes people can’t or do not want to have a pet but can still get the benefits from pet therapy. Pet therapy dogs have been trained to work with a therapist to help others.

 *There is a program that helps children read. If a child has a stutter, learning disability, or anxiety when speaking in public, they are asked to read in front of the dog first. The dog provides a calming and loving environment without judgment.

*There are therapy dog programs that help children with autism become more social. The hope is that when they focus on the dog, they can better ignore distractions and have an easier time speaking. The child can also form a bond with the dog which helps them feel less lonely. In addition, the therapy dog can enhance learning through play. For example, tug of war, fetch, and cuddles may also help access their emotions.

*According to Harvard Medical School, a dog can lower a person’s blood pressure and reduce cholesterol.

*The article notes that therapy dogs improve memory retention in Alzheimer’s patients, help people coping with PTSD remain calm and sleep better, and reduce pain in cancer patients by lowering cortisol, raising pain-reducing endorphins, and providing a distraction from the pain.

Pet therapy has become more and more accepted as a valid therapy. Dogs are brought on college campuses during exams, into nursing homes and hospitals, to doctors and dentist offices before procedures, and to VA for PTSD to name a few examples.

It is my belief and my experience that a pet enriches the lives of many and brings families and friends closer. 

They are pure love. 

They are guardian angels.

Pet therapy:

info@pawsforpeople.org (301)-351-5622

petpartners.org ​​

DISCLAIMER:

The contents of this website; blog, video, articles, media, book, references, are ONLY for informational and entertainment purposes. It is NOT intended as a psychological service, diagnostic tool, medical treatment, personal advice, counseling, determination of risk and should not be used as a substitute for treatment by psychological or medical services.  

Please seek consultation by appropriate healthcare provider. Call 911 if emergency. Call National Suicidal Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone 24/7 if needed. Call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to talk to someone 24/7 if needed. 

Looking, reading, listening to any information on my website, book, and communication with me by email or any other communication with me, you acknowledge and agree that we do not have a professional/client relationship. Use of this site and information associated with this site is solely at the visitor’s own risk.

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