I’ll just come right out and say it: if it wasn’t for my beloved Labrador/Pitt Bull mix (Phoebe), I might not be here to tell this story. She saved my life. During a very painful divorce and early recovery, thoughts of suicide came to mind on a regular basis.
Not to get into it too much, but my ex-husband emotionally abused my sons and me up until the day he moved out. And it got even worse towards me specifically, as temporarily, he poisoned my sons against me, and I saw no reason to go on. Phoebe loved me through it; she was literally suicide prevention and mental health therapy for me.
Enough about me for now; let’s see what dogs are best for mental health below:
- Vizsla
- Labrador Retriever
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Pug
- Cavalier King Charles’ Spaniel
- Brussels Griffon
- Golden Retriever
- Corgi
- Irish Wolfhound
- Chihuahua
Reader’s Digest noted that some dogs may not be suitable for mental health purposes. Here’s what they suggest avoiding, “We can’t emphasize this enough—all dogs are individuals. Purebreds, mixed breeds, or rescue dogs all have the capacity to be loving, affectionate, and intuitive, emotional support dogs. That said, some breeds such as the Chow Chow, Boerboel, and Tibetan Mastiff might not be suitable for this role simply because they are naturally independent, dignified, or strong-willed. Other breeds, such as the Australian cattle dog, German Pinscher, or Bergamasco sheepdog are perpetually in “work mode” and hard-wired to be vigilant, fearless, and tenacious watchdogs or herding dogs. And some breeds with a high prey drive, such Kerry blue terrier, Saluki, or rat terrier, could be more interested in chasing a squirrel than consoling you when you’re having a hard day,”
These furry family members help with depression through a variety of scientific ways. For instance, when they draw close to us, it increases oxytocin production and serotonin levels. That, in turn, decreases stress levels and lowers blood pressure. It also increases positive emotions and can make us more trusting of others around us. Phoebe was just that for me.
Depression and anxiety usually go together, and our dogs can provide that much-needed unconditional love and acceptance. My beloved family dog Phoebe helped me many times to cope with feelings of sadness and loneliness. As crazy as it sounds, she gave me someone to talk to, cuddle, love, and rely on for affection – judgment-free.
Unfortunately, recently, Phoebe (our other dog Lucy’s mama) was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that required steroid treatments, which we did, and she seemed to improve. She came on vacation with us 800 miles away and had a good time road-tripping. She most certainly had a better ride home than I did! In fact, she rested her head on my leg to comfort me because I started getting ill with a severe diverticulitis flare-up. Because Phoebe comforted me, I calmed down and fell asleep for the rest of the six hours of our trip.
When we got back, I had to nurse myself back to life, but thankfully, Phoebe was right by my side, keeping me comfortable. I was finally feeling better and able to eat a little six days later, but the very next day (on my bday), Phoebe took a turn for the worst, and I rushed her to the vet. She may still have had that autoimmune condition, but they did an x-ray and found a giant cancerous mass pushing on her organs and spine.
The vet was crying. The staff was sad. Our Phoebe was loved by many who knew her. I asked how long, and the vet teared up again and shook her head. It could be two days or maybe a week. It was quite a kick in the gut.
My oldest son is still heartbroken, as she was his baby and got him through middle school angst. She was our first “family” dog. The previous dogs I had were before kids. Phoebe was the baby of this family until she blessed us with puppies of her own. Which, of course, is why we have Lucy. My mommy-daughter duo. She’s been the best dog I’ve ever had. She was my best friend. She put out the fires of my fears and emotional pain.
We stayed close to her for seven days after the diagnosis and made sure she didn’t have to suffer while giving her meds for comfort. The vet said Phoebe would “let us know,” and she did that the following Tuesday when she crossed The Rainbow Bridge at only seven years old (And for those of you wondering, after all this, I am still in the no matter what club).
Ways dogs help humans
It’s funny how even when dogs are grieving themselves, they are more concerned about comforting us. Since Phoebe departed, her daughter Lucy has also exhibited some depression and loneliness. She was used to having a partner, someone to clean her ears and face and to tell her how to behave within the family. Lucy seems a little lost these days. But it has not stopped her from comforting us humans and being there to hug us when we’re missing her mama.
Our dogs have also motivated us to get outside. My oldest son always had a reason to go on a walk, run, or meet up with his friends who also had dogs. They certainly serve as an essential motivator for increasing physical activity and exercise in the elderly, especially those who recently suffered a heart attack or those with arthritis.
Caring for a dog brings a sense of responsibility and purpose, improving our mental health. My oldest son learned how to take care of another living thing with Phoebe, and he bonded with her. It helped him release all of his pent-up anxiety that weighed on his mind. Furthermore, Phoebe gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning during the divorce.
Getting a therapy dog for a school
In organizations like the Alliance of Therapy Dogs typically they send their teams to all types of places, such as:
- Airports
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Rehab facilities
- Mental health institutions
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Cancer centers
- Hospice facilities
- College campuses
- In patients’ homes
According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, schools see a desperate need to address mental health concerns for young people. “Students enter our buildings with the weight of the world on their shoulders. With exposure to social media, cyberbullying, digital media, violence, and much more, our students experience overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. With 1 in 6 US youth aged 6–17 experiencing a mental health disorder each year and suicide as the second leading cause of death among people aged 10–34, implementing a program to improve the mental well-being of our children is critical and necessary,”.
These animals have had a highly beneficial impact on students’ emotional well-being as well as their cognitive growth. Some of the volunteer methods focus on incorporating the dogs into the child’s life, whether it be at school or in their home; the dogs’ interaction with those children improve dramatically the following:
- Reading abilities
- Stimulates memory and problem-solving skills
- Enhances executive-functioning abilities
For children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), dogs are an essential component of treatment. The unconditional love and companionship give children the attention, affection, and motivation they need to improve their focus and concentration.
For children with autism, the dogs should be calm and patient. Studies have shown that when a disabled person encounters an assistance dog, they experience lower stress and anxiety levels, resulting in decreased blood pressure and heart rate (Dog Channel).
Another significant area to highlight is how when a disabled person encounters an assistance dog, they actually experience lower stress and anxiety levels, resulting in decreased blood pressure and heart rate, thus improving their quality of life.
What dog is best for mental health?
In conclusion, all dogs can be wonderful for improving our mental health status, just remember there are a couple breeds that may not provide the ideal situation. Happy to report that my sons are now well and not in a toxic situation anymore – we have a great relationship today. We are sad to have said goodbye to our Phoebe but Lucy is still here to comfort us and to teach the next puppy that comes along when we’re ready.
As my favorite cartoon creator once said, “All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn’t a dog,”. ~ Charles M. Schulz
