How Dogs Help People with Depression?

Dogs offer a multitude of physical, mental, and social benefits to humans. While research increasingly supports these positive impacts, there’s a growing need to consider the well-being of therapy dogs themselves. As the importance of animal welfare rises, we should extend the Ottawa Charter to encompass non-human animals, promoting both human and animal health. By recognizing the potential stress on therapy dogs, we can establish guidelines and standards to ensure their welfare, aligning with the One Welfare approach.

Emotional Support and Companionship

• Unconditional Love: Dogs offer unwavering love and acceptance, which can be particularly comforting during periods of low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness.
• Reduced Loneliness: They provide constant companionship, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing social interaction.
• Increased Happiness: Interacting with dogs can release oxytocin and dopamine, hormones associated with happiness and pleasure.

Man’s Best Medicine: How Dogs Heal the Soul

According to a study conducted by the Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia

Therapy Dog programs can benefit a diverse group of individuals who may need emotional support, companionship, and assistance in managing their health and wellbeing. Therapy dogs offer a unique form of support that can complement traditional medical treatments and provide individuals with increased control over their health and environment, enabling them to make healthier choices. Per the Ottawa Charter, responsibility for health promotion is shared between individuals, community groups, health professionals, health service institutions and governments who must work together towards a health-care system that contributes to the pursuit of health. 

• Encourages Physical Activity: Daily walks with a dog promote exercise, which is well-known to boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
• Establishes Routine: Caring for a dog requires a routine, which can provide structure and purpose to a day.
• Social Opportunities: Dog parks and walks can facilitate social interactions, helping to combat feelings of loneliness.

• Stress Reduction: Petting a dog can lower stress hormones like cortisol.
• Anxiety Relief: The calming presence of a dog can alleviate anxiety symptoms, often a comorbidity with depression.
• Improved Focus: Interacting with a dog can shift focus away from negative thoughts and rumination.

Unleashing the Healing Power of Dogs: A Guide to Better Mental Health

Therapeutic Benefits

Beyond the Tail Wag: How Dogs Transform Lives and Minds

• Grounding Technique: Focusing on a dog’s presence, such as petting their fur or listening to their breathing, can be a grounding technique to manage overwhelming emotions.
• Social Anchor: Dogs can act as a social anchor, encouraging interactions with others, especially in dog parks or during walks.
• Sense of Purpose: Caring for a dog can provide a sense of purpose and responsibility, which can be beneficial for individuals with low self-esteem.

Important Considerations While dogs can be incredibly helpful for people with depression, it’s important to remember that they are not a cure-all. It’s essential to consult with a mental health professional to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Additionally, owning a dog is a significant responsibility, and it’s crucial to ensure that you can provide the necessary care and attention.

Here are a few dog jokes to brighten your day:

1. What do you call a lazy dog? A couch potato.
2. Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!
3. What do you call a dog that can do magic tricks? A houndini.
4. What’s a dog’s favorite subject in school? Bone-ology.
5. What do you call a dog that reads the newspaper? A news hound.