Anyone who has ever owned a dog will know the companionship and comfort they can bring to their human owners.

Dogs are very special creatures, which is why they are used more and more to help treat people with mental health issues, including depression.

Simply stroking a dog can help improve your mood and calm you down, one boy told Mind.org

“Just the simple touch of his fur was enough to leave me feeling much calmer than I was before.”

Hounds of love: how dogs helped me and my anxiety

However, it’s not just psychosomatic; there’s a real chemical reaction involved. According to in-depth research collated by the US National Library of Medicine, human-animal interactions release a chemical called oxytocin (often referred to as the love hormone). Hugging and stroking stimulate its release, helping us to feel better.

We propose that the activation of the oxytocin system plays a key role in the majority of these reported psychological and psychophysiological effects of HAI. (Human-Animal Interactions).

As a result, many organizations focused on supporting those with mental health problems have started to offer specially trained therapy dogs to help individuals cope with their depression using this calm, healing approach.

Psychosocial and Psychophysiological Effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The Possible Role of Oxytocin

How do therapy dogs help with depression?

A therapy dog is specially trained to help people who suffer from depression in various ways. They provide relief, support and companionship, vital for those who find it challenging to cope with day-to-day life and the emotional roller coaster of depression.

New research from MORE TH>N Pet Insurance reveals that overall, three in five (60%) pet owners claim their animals have helped to improve their mental health.

In the survey of 2,000 pet owners, three quarters (77%) say their pets improved their overall quality of life. Additionally, 37% said the presence of an animal makes them feel calm, and one third (33%) feel noticeably less stressed.

New figures reveal that pets help with owners mental health

Let’s look at some of the benefits of having a therapy dog

• Companionship
First and foremost, a dog can help combat loneliness, both a symptom and a trigger for depression. Having a dog by your side means you don’t have to do things by yourself. Panic can set in at the thought of going out, travelling or simply opening the door to a visitor. A trained therapy dog will know when you need more support and behave accordingly to remain calm and responsive to your needs.

• A sense of purpose
Caring for an animal is a full-time commitment, and while this may appear daunting at first, a sense of purpose is proven to be an effective treatment in helping with depression.
For example, if you know you must get out of bed because the dog needs to be fed or walked, your purpose becomes greater than your immediate need (especially if that need is to hide away or isolate yourself). Ideally, over time, your sense of purpose grows, and you begin to have more good days than bad ones with the help and support of your therapy dog.

• A positive daily routine
Building your day around your dog is a great start to help put a routine in place so that you are comfortable with the tasks you know you have to do. Symptoms of depression include lack of interest, putting things off, and not wanting to do anything. Even the smallest of routines can help lift your mood and boost your desire to participate in everyday activities.

For example,
In the morning: Get up, eat breakfast, then walk the dog.
In the evening: Walk the dog, eat dinner, then go to bed.

It’s a simple but manageable pattern that you can focus on achieving every day.

• Boost your mood and inspire positive thoughts
Your dog will always be happy to see you; even when you wake in the morning, your therapy dog will be ready to greet you with a wonderful cuddle, stroke and wagging tail.

Touch is an incredible boost to your mood and mindset, which is why therapy dogs are trained especially for DPS (deep pressure stimulation), a powerful sensory therapy.

What is Deep Pressure Stimulation?

‘Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) is a tactile stimulation provided as gentle pressure to the body via tugging, stroking, cuddling or wrapping, relaxing the nervous system. It can be applied through different devices: massage tools, hands, swaddles, or Psychiatric Service Dogs, specially trained to provide deep pressure therapy. If the therapy has been provided properly, it has an organizing and calming effect on the nervous system and makes the recipient feel calm and peaceful.’

Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)

• They are responsive to our moods and distract us from negative behaviors.
Trained therapy dogs are highly tuned to low mood levels and will even respond with snuggles and snuffles, physically putting themselves between their human and their negative behavior. For example, highly trained therapy dogs will know that if you are crying, screaming, rocking or banging your head, they will need to distract you and help prevent that behavior. Gently and calmly, the dog will begin to push his face and nose close into you and help you focus on them, rather than your pain.

‘My little fluff ball is one of the most sensitive beings I know. As soon as my mind starts to race and I can feel that ball of anxiety rising, he is right there and ready to face it with me. He can spend hours just spread out next to me while I hug him, and stroking his fur is incredibly helpful. Most of all, he gave my daily life routine and purpose.’

Feedback from a therapy dog recipient on Mind.org.

• Someone you can trust to share your feelings
Dogs are ’a man’s best friend’, and their loyalty is legendary, which is why they are ideal for confiding in and sharing your darkest feelings at times of worry or stress. Simply, sharing your thoughts with another living creature can often feel like a weight has been lifted, and your therapy dog is the ideal listener as they are trained to remain calm and respond if you become overwhelmed or upset.

A testimonial from a child on the Mind.org website demonstrates the difference his therapy dog made to his everyday life.

“Over the next decade and a half, I confided in him more than I did anyone else. He knew my secrets, my fears, everything. In fact, there are things I told him that I will never tell anyone else, because he was my best friend. It wasn’t just because of the oxytocin (sometimes called the love hormone) that was released when I hugged him, or when he came to me when I cried, it’s also because he never judged me for feeling the way I did, or acting out because of it.”

Hounds of love: how dogs helped me and my anxiety

• Increases mental stimulation
Having someone else around, including animals, helps keep your mind active and alert. It can go a long way to preventing a negative cycle of unbroken thoughts which swim around our heads without interruption. Therapy dogs will provide distraction without disruption and help you to meet and chat with other people while you’re out and about walking.

• Exercise
Walking or even running with your dog will benefit both of you with positive energy.
Exercise helps release endorphins, the feel-good chemical that boosts your mood and helps you feel better physically and emotionally. Dogs can help you get moving and get motivated in all aspects of your life.

“As a high energy dog, I knew I had to take him out for a few hours a day, and the difference in how I felt was amazing. I had more energy, was happier, and life didn’t seem as dark and crushing as it had before.”

Hounds of love: how dogs helped me and my anxiety

Who can benefit from a therapy dog?

People of all ages will benefit from having a therapy dog. Mind.org has many cases of individuals from young children to more senior recipients living with depression or mental health issues. They are beginning to live their lives again with the aid of their furry friend, whereas before, they would have been too anxious or overwhelmed.
While many people are lucky enough to have a therapy dog living with them, you can benefit from regular visits if you cannot take care of a dog full-time.
Regular visitors to care homes, hospitals, young people’s residences and even prisons, therapy dogs are fast becoming an essential part of short and long-term treatment to help support people with depression and other mental health issues.

Where can I get a therapy dog from?

There are many brilliant organizations in the UK and across Europe that match people with their amazing therapy dogs. For example, Pets as Therapy, or PAT as they are affectionately known, are a UK based charity focused on helping people manage their mental health and live more enriched and fulfilling lives.
And if you’ve already got a dog, you can enroll them in therapy training school to help support and care for you to manage your mental health positively.

If all you need really is love, then oxytocin may be where it’s at.

This neurotransmitter is categorized as one of the four “happiness chemicals” (in addition to dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins) and is known for its link to feelings of love and connection.

Oxytocin is created in the hypothalamus gland and released by the pituitary gland. It’s a chemical messenger, relaying information throughout the body, particularly when it comes to reproduction, bonding, and even giving.

Known as the love hormone, oxytocin is released during events such as:

• birthing (sending signals for the body to start contractions)
• infant/mother bonding (a feeling of attachment through breastfeeding, cuddling, and caretaking)
• romantic relationships
• sex
• hugging
• connecting with others
• giving to others/showing compassion

When thoughts and actions of love are present, this neurotransmitter is released and can result in higher levels of happiness.

To increase oxytocin in your body, try:

• holding hands with your children or spouse
• hugging
• having sex
• cuddling with a pet
• helping someone
• offering kind words of encouragement and/or compliment to someone
• giving to others
• being in the moment and playing with your kids, talking with your spouse, or
• enjoying a meal together without interruption
• ensuring your body is digesting nutrients properly, specifically amino acids as they are the building blocks to oxytocin
• oxytocin nasal spray

Small acts can make a big impact on feelings of love. Take, for instance, the story of 33-year-old Cami Walker and her prescription of 29 gifts.

Cami was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and dealt with debilitating symptoms and negative thinking after this discovery.

During this time, she was given a unique “prescription” from friend and African medicine woman, Mbali Creazzo. Creazzo suggested that Cami give any type of gift to others over 29 days with sincerity and appreciation in order to boost her connection with others, sense of love, and overall state of happiness.

Cami’s experience was wondrous and yours could be, too. Try giving something of yourself over the next month and take note of how you feel, what you experience, and how it changes you.

Is it time to bond with your kids more? Spend quality time with your spouse? Help out a neighbor? Compliment your coworker?

Think about how you can weave these loving behaviors into your daily life and reap the reward of more happiness.

REFERENCES:

http://www.29gifts.org
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21250892/

The soft purr of a cat as it warms up to you. The cuddle of a dog laying at your feet. The singing of birds as you enter. Pets can provide a wondrous sense of love and connection, special from that of others.

This unique relationship can provide a bounty of mental health benefits, enough to have you thinking that, yes, life just may be better with a pet.

How pets support mental health

Interacting with a pet can boost mood and decrease symptoms associated with anxiety. Togetherness can soothe feelings of loneliness (particularly in those living by themselves). Engaging the sense of touch, as well as making eye contact, can nurture connection with a living being.

Being responsible for an animal can bring purpose and meaning to one’s life. Unconditional love paired with something by your side may cultivate healthy self-confidence. Taking care of another being can develop kindness and compassion.

The opportunity to interact with other people (such as at a dog park), can promote increased socialization. Laughter and optimism can result from animal playfulness. Petting and cuddling with a household pet when stressed can induce relaxation. Attachment to an animal may increase positive and mindful behavior towards animals (particularly in children). Engaging with a pet can give way to living in the moment.

Supporting mental health disorders with pets

In addition to the plethora of general mental health perks, specific disorders may benefit from pets as well.

Research shows that those with ADHD may benefit from a structured schedule of feeding and walking an animal, while those on the autism spectrum may discover an increase in social skills and self-esteem due to the soft and warm sensory experience a pet provides.

Furthermore, those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may find solace in a service dog companion.

And whether it’s through equine-assisted therapy for depression and addiction or a visiting hospital therapy dog that helps to calm anxiety and grief, specially trained animals can provide support for a variety of mental health needs.

What if I don’t own a pet?

While pet ownership has a plethora of perks – both mental and physical – a household animal may not be an option for some. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to still enjoy the advantages provided by these beautiful creatures.

If taking care of your own pet is unrealistic or not allowed in your place of residency, consider:

• volunteering at an animal shelter
• fostering adoptable pets
• offering pet sitting and walking services
• spending time with friends and family who have pets
• taking horseback riding lessons

Exposure to pets and the opportunity to interact with them can be a gift. The unconditional love these cherished animals provide can make them a prized companion teeming with health benefits. 

From snuggling up after a long day to enjoying a nature walk on a beautiful afternoon, pets can be cherished companions in accompanying one through life. Anyone who has experienced the unconditional love a pet can give knows how invaluable this support can be.

But did you know that the benefits of pets may go beyond emotional support and can result in positive physical effects as well?

While research into human and pet relationships is ongoing, some recent results have been promising.

Stress management

Stress is a normal and natural part of life. But today, it can easily become chronic.  Everything from an overextended schedule to worldwide health issues can create excess stress which makes having healthy ways to process it even more essential. And engaging with pets may be one of the best ways to decompress.

Snuggling, petting, and interacting with a pet can lower cortisol levels and calm the fight or flight response to stress. Considering stress may be related to up to 80% of all primary care visits, taking time to play fetch after work may be just as beneficial for you as for the dog.

In addition, oxytocin (known as the “feel-good” hormone) can be released while engaging with a pet. Oxytocin has significant links to overall happiness and has been known to benefit cognitive function and heart health, social interaction and relationships, and overall wellbeing. It may even help curb addictive behaviors.

Weight control

Owning a pet that needs exercise can increase your own movement throughout the day, a useful tool for weight management.

Research has shown that dog owners not only walk more per week on average than those without dogs, but that the intensity of the movement was more vigorous than those who did not own a dog.

Cardiovascular health

Bonding with pets may have positive effects on cardiovascular health, particularly by helping to regulate blood pressure.

Because long-term stress can have detrimental effects on the heart, both cats and dogs have been shown to be beneficial for reducing stress that may ultimately lead to heart disease.

In addition to blood pressure, lower rates of high cholesterol and diabetes have also been observed in pet owners.

Diversified microbiome

The body’s microbiome (which supports neurotransmitter creation, digestion, and immunity) is vital to overall health and pets can play a vital role in this aggregate of microbes.

Those with household pets may have more beneficial bacteria, viruses, and fungi in their systems much in thanks to the germs and dander pets track in from the outdoors.

While this can impact adults and children alike, this may have even greater importance on infants who are developing their microbiomes – especially in their first three months. Those who develop a strong microbiome in younger years may have a decreased risk of asthma and allergies if exposed to helpful allergens early on.

While there are many benefits to pet ownership, these researched physical advantages are becoming more widely recognized as some of the most valuable.

So next time your dog begs for a walk, take them on one as a way of saying thank you for all you do.