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Feeling down? Let the pets shine in!
By Dr. Marty Becker
April 2, 2010
I talk sometimes about “puppy prozac,” and the growing use of medications in treating behavior problems, particularly separation anxiety, in pets. But seeing the effect of Christie’s new puppy on her life in the last week reminded me of the incredible power animals have to lighten our lives and help us heal from grief, loneliness and even depression.
Depression is a serious mental illness and requires a doctor’s care, but for some people, prescriptions don’t just come in pill vials. Some of them come on four feet with a wagging tail or twitching nose. Some of them even have fins.
When I wrote “The Healing Power of Pets,” I interviewed pediatric psychologist Aubrey H. Fine, who uses a rabbit named Houdini, dogs, cockatoos, lizards, a bearded dragon and even fish in his practice.
“The depressed person may be very alienated and alone, or may choose to be alone,” he told me. “An animal can get her out and involved.”
It’s hard to isolate when an endearing and demanding puppy is panting in your face and gazing longingly at the world outside the window. It’s hard to surrender to misery when your rabbit is doing his little silly dance for you, or your kitten discovers the wonders of a paper bag for the first time.
And don’t overlook the healing power of our non-furry animal friends. Bearded dragons and the species of fish known as the “Siamese fighting fish,” or betta splendens, can be extraordinarily responsive and interactive companions, and may be the perfect choice for someone battling both allergies and the blues.
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Unfortunately, I think I’m qualified to write a book on this subject. I was just thinking earlier today about how, when my previous dog died, we had a pet rat who kept me sane, and when he died, that’s when I knew I HAD to have a puppy.
No rats now, no gerbils, no fighting fish, but I’m considering naming one of the huge spiders and making it a pet. It’s either that or Prozac.
Comment by KathyF — April 2, 2010 @ 5:53 am
The thankfully few times I’ve had a major depression the animals both got me out of bed-gotta go feed-and a major stoppage to death thoughts-who’d take care of everyone?
Playing with the cats with string always makes me happy!
Comment by redheather — April 2, 2010 @ 6:16 am
Purr-factor on Teh Kittehs also pretty uplifting!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 2, 2010 @ 6:41 am
Not only do my pets chase away the blues if I have them, but they brighten up my day numerous times.
I love when my big chihuahua, Roxi, jumps up and down and spins with glee…and I’ve just gone out and come back from the mailbox. Meanwhile, my son is still building Lego spaceships or something and he doesn’t even look up.
Roxi acts like I have been gone for hours. Puts a little ‘pep in my step’ knowing how much she adores me.
Comment by ericka — April 2, 2010 @ 7:00 am
Whenever I feel down or am having a bad day, it seems like my ACD knows what’s going on and stays closer to my side.
The love of my dog makes a monumental difference, in good times and bad!
Comment by houndandherder.com — April 2, 2010 @ 7:45 am
I placed a puppy many years ago with someone who works in a very difficult field. Many of her clients have suffered extreme trauma, and find it difficult talking about their experiences.
When her Frenchie was old enough, she began bringing him to work with her, and discovered an interesting effect - clients who would not tell HER what had happened to them, would tell him. They’d bury their faces in his soft fur, and recount what they’d been through.
He is still the official ‘therapy dog in residence’ at her office. For myself, nothing can cheer me up like an afternoon of puppy watching. Who on earth needs TV?
Comment by FrogDogz — April 2, 2010 @ 7:56 am
Sparky was the one who helped me thru the grief after my father’s death. I so clearly remember feeling that the sky was just too damn *big* after he died. Sparky brought me back to earth, literally. Spark has always been bold and sassy, long on energy and very short on subtlety. But on our daily walks in the months after Dad’s death, Spark would stop at little things that she would normally never even notice…a spiderweb covered in dew, an emerald green fuzzy caterpillar, a starfish in a tide pool. In stopping to marvel at those fragile things, I felt myself become grounded again. Such a good dog, my old Sparky Girl.
Comment by Melinda — April 2, 2010 @ 9:04 am
There is, unfortunately, an ugly flip side to this.
The animal that is acquired with the expectation that she will provide some psychological service to the owner.
Too often this function is unreasonable. Full-time repository for the unedited emotional firestorm of a raw and festering human psyche is too much to ask.
If it’s wrong to dump it on a child, it’s wrong to dump it on an animal. Basically healthy and self-aware adults realize this fact, suck it up, and pull themselves together for the sake of the pet, as much as with her help. People who are too far gone into mental illness — or simple self-absorption — expect a dependent animal to do it for them.
I remember asking particularly troublesome clients who had a stranger-biting GSD bitch what they had envisioned her job to be when they’d bought her.
The father, a successful professional, blurted out “To bring some stability to this family!”
As I learned over the ensuing months, that was not a feat that a little shepherd pup, or the big blustery bitch she became, could take on and accomplish; she bit “intruders” (aka visitors and neighbors) because it was abundantly clear to her that no one was piloting the ship, and she had to handle all the decisions about safe/not safe herself.
She was a nervous, anxious, worried animal yearning for human leadership, and it was never going to come from her owners. One of two or three dogs in my years as a trainer who I wish I had just bought.
Comment by H. Houlahan — April 2, 2010 @ 9:44 am
She was mirroring the behaviors of the owners.
We have so many in rescue, that have come in with Anxiety…only to be removed from the unstable environment into a routine of structure, leadership and security …..thus learning to relax.
Speaking for myself however. About the time Marty’s book came out is when I did put one of my GWP’s from rescue through a certified therapy dog program. I became enthralled in a licensed rescue for the GWP’s. The rescue dogs healed my heart….from an abusive childhood, and other not so wonderful decisions I made through the 70’s and part of the 80’s.
They rescued me and fulfilled my purpose. So many come in abused and neglected as they are mainly seen as tools for avid hunters. When they do not perform, they are left in the field, intentionally starved and forgotten. Some have had amputations of portions of the ear flap when pliers were used on them to teach a forced retrieve. Scars on the neck where a shock collar was used over and over until they simply break down.
We have a type of communication, and understanding to move forward. We have a safe quiet place for them to recover with good raw holistic food, doggie beds, toys and playtime. Structured walks and doggie daycare. They learn to be whole again, and they have helped me to become whole as well.
Comment by GWP Rescue — April 2, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
When I’ve had a particularly stressful and demanding day at work…there’s nothing like two sweet kitties waiting for you at the front door…treating you as if you were the Queen returning from a long trip.
They are so happy to see me!
Comment by Marcy — April 2, 2010 @ 2:29 pm