Man’s (or Woman's!) Best Friend

There is a reason why dogs are sometimes referred to as our best friend.

They are great listeners, they are always happy to see their owners, they never judge, and they love unconditionally.

Dogs can be in great companions for children. They love to play and walk. For a child who needs companionship, a dog can be just the thing.

Dogs will go almost anywhere; they love to be included. For kids who have trouble sleeping at night, a dog sleeping in the bedroom or on the child’s bed can have a real calming influence on the child.  It can give a sense of security and protection from whatever lives under the bed!

Children who need to practice their reading skills can be encouraged to read to their dog. Dogs love the company and won’t be tempted to judge the skill level.

Dogs need to be cared for. They need to be fed, cleaned up after, bathed and groomed. This could be a good place for children to develop responsibilities.

Dogs are great companions for the elderly. Having a dog to care for and walk may help seniors get some much-needed exercise and provide them with a purpose in life. Although a senior might not be motivated to look after themselves, having a pet that relies on the owner for care and survival can be enough to encourage the senior to act.

Dogs can play very positive roles with those who suffer from PTSD. The non-judgemental buddy by a traumatized victims side can have a very calming effect making the journey back to normalcy easier and possible.

Similar services dogs are often trained for those with challenges from blindness, anxiety and autism. Some dogs can detect diabetic emergencies and some cancers. In nursing homes and hospice settings, dogs can have calming effects on patients and positive effects on their mental health.

Dogs are often seen in schools where they can be used as calming influences for troubled kids.

Dogs do come with some draw backs: puppies need to be trained. They can chew up many shoes and have plenty of accidents in the house before they are housetrained. An answer to this is to get a young dog, but one that has already been trained.

Some people are allergic to dogs, but there are many breeds now that are poodle crosses that may eliminate that concern. 

Dogs can be expensive to buy, but dogs procured from an animal shelter are often reasonably priced.

A painful expense can be vet bills. In recent times, insurance can be obtained for dogs which makes any medical problems much easier to manage. 

With a little planning, dog ownership is very possible and so effective in promoting mental health for so many lives that they touch.

Gwen Ulan