If you had told me a year ago that I’d be doing pet therapy, I would have likely said no. I honestly would have never tried it if it weren’t for my parents, therapist, and psychiatrist, who eventually convinced me to try it. There is a lot of research showing how beneficial it is for your mental wellbeing to spend time with an animal. There is simply no denying that a pet can give you some emotional comfort; whenever I see a dog walking down the street, I can’t help but smile. 🙂 Animals may not speak our language, but they communicate in their own way—and they are remarkably intuitive!
Its Emotional & Mental Benefits
Sometimes, when you’re struggling deeply, traditional support like therapy, family, and medication isn’t enough due to internal and external factors that are often beyond our control. Engaging in pet therapy can provide the extra boost you need to improve your social, physical, and emotional health. Let’s look at some of the key benefits animals can bring into your life:
- Stress Reduction: Spending time with a pet lowers your cortisol (stress hormone) and anxiety levels while reducing your heart rate and blood pressure. For instance, whenever I hold a rabbit in my arms, I slowly feel calmness embrace me—it gives me a feeling of peace and lightness that is usually difficult for me to achieve.
- Mood booster: Animals are incredibly sensitive beings—in their own way, they can sense when a human is feeling down. Cuddling with a pet triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. Whenever I’m crying, my parents bring a friend’s rabbit to me if possible, and it makes me feel better within minutes. When I did pet therapy with a dog, simply being in its presence made me laugh, especially when I gave him my special home-baked biscuits! 😉
- Encourages movement: Animals are living beings—just like humans, they need to move, eat, and rest. When you’re struggling with depression, the last thing you want to do is go outside, but when you have a dog, you also have to prioritize their wellbeing. They gently encourage you to get out and move, even if it’s just for a walk. By doing that, your self-esteem can also improve.
- Increased Self-Esteem: Pet therapy boosts self-confidence because animals are non-judgmental beings by nature. Their unconditional acceptance fosters a sense of purpose and helps reduce anxiety. As someone who has been judged and bullied far too many times, being around animals makes me feel safe, valued, and accepted for who I truly am.
Small Steps, Meaningful Progress
Many people benefit from pet therapy, and I am one of them—even if the progress comes in small steps, every bit counts. As I mentioned earlier, I tried pet therapy a few months ago at home with a dog trained by his owner. It was difficult at first and it definitely wasn’t easy to get his attention, but over time, I learned bit by bit how to connect with him. It was the same for my neighbour’s rabbit; at first, it was a struggle to hold him and I wasn’t very interested. Over time, it became better. Now I’m able to hold him in my arms, and simply cuddling with him makes my day feel just a bit lighter. ✨
Mindfulness & Pet Therapy
When you engage in pet therapy, you are likely to feel like you’re living in the present. Instead of worrying about what comes next, your focus is entirely on the pet. When I hold my neighbour’s rabbit and cuddle with him, I can feel myself anchoring in the here and now. I become so focused on stroking him or simply watching him that it gets harder to dwell on anything else. Personally, pet therapy is a wonderful mindfulness activity—it gives you the opportunity to connect with a non-judgmental living being while receiving their unconditional comfort in the present moment. It might be harder to focus the first few times, but with time, you can learn to simply be.
Giving It a Chance
At first, I was skeptical about trying pet therapy—I’ve never had a pet at home, so I didn’t think it would help. I suffer from severe depression, so I truly understand if it feels scary and difficult to try; I felt that way, too. However, I’m glad I gave it a chance. It brought me comfort and still does, especially with my neighbour’s rabbit. 🙂 Trying won’t hurt, and who knows—maybe you’ll love it! ❤️
Post not sponsored
Lascia un commento