April is Stress Awareness Month, so what better time to look at the stresses in our lives and explore the small changes we can make to feel calmer and more balanced. One of the most paw-sitive changes? Spending time with our dogs.

Few relationships in our lives are as rewarding as the bond we share with our dogs. They are never disappointed, angry or off with us, they greet us each time we return home as if it’s been years, and they will always be there when we need them the most. 

Dogs have the unique ability to interpret our emotions, strengthening bonds beyond most other pets; they bring us joy, comfort and happiness. But, beyond their playfulness and wagging tails, dogs offer profound emotional, physical and psychological benefits to their pet parents.  

We’re going to explore how canine companionship can change lives, impact overall wellbeing and improve the mental health of the people who choose to let a dog into their lives. 

This is how dogs can help with recovery, stability and everyday happiness. 

The Mental Health Boost: How Dogs Aid Recovery

Mental health cases are on the rise around the world as the cost of living increases and the world seems to become increasingly hectic; so how is having a dog supposed to help with this? 

For those experiencing mental health challenges, a dog can be much more than ‘just a pet’; they can act as a lifeline. Many wellness centres around the world that specialise in treating serious mental health conditions now incorporate animal-assisted therapy, recognising the proven benefits dogs bring to the healing process.

The bond we share with our pooches is all well and good, but, in terms of mental health recovery, having a dog in the house can provide people with structure, rituals and positive habits that allow a person to restructure their day-to-day lives after an episode of mental health struggles. 

The connection between dogs and mental health is built upon structure; your dog will need feeding at specific times, exercising for a specific amount of time each day, obedience training and much more for you both to lead a happy life. 

This can be a great distraction for those dealing with symptoms of anxiety and depression, as you’ll discover newfound responsibility, a sense of purpose, and a fresh routine, alongside all the pleasures of cuddling with a furry best friend.   

Motivation is a huge issue for those battling depression, and fighting to re-motivate yourself is a big step in the recovery process. With this in mind, we know that the simple act of stroking a dog releases oxytocin, otherwise known as ‘the feel-good hormone’, and reduces our stress and cortisol levels meaning your mood will literally be boosted and motivation might come a little bit easier; and every little helps. 

That’s a pretty impressive set of biochemical reactions from a simple petting session. 

If you’ve been wondering “Can dogs help with depression?”, then the answer is a resounding yes!  

Mental Health Dogs

Mental health dogs are specifically trained to provide emotional support to those in need, and can play a crucial role in therapy. There are specially trained pups that are able to help people struggling through PTSD, anxiety disorders, and other mental health challenges by actually recognising distress and even sensing depression.

Not only does their unconditional love and support create a sense of security, but they can physically help with episodes and emotional dips and make recovery feel less lonely; that’s pretty incredible if you ask us. 

The Physical Benefits of Having a Dog

We know that dogs can have a direct impact on our mental wellbeing, so how does owning a dog improve our physical health? 

Well, part of the structure of owning a dog is walking regularly, which is an obvious bit of physical exercise; dog owners actually tend to be more active because of these daily walks with their furry friends.

What’s more, one thing that is common knowledge is that being outside is good for us, but did you know that there is a direct link between the natural world, exercise and our mental health?

According to studies, those who participate in regular exercise not only deal with stress better but also have reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

This means that the benefits of having a dog include being able to improve our cardiovascular health, which in turn can have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing, allowing for stress release and mental clarity; all of which can be hard to come by when battling something like depression.   

The benefits of exercising for our physical health are numerous and hopefully obvious, but it’s this link between our mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing that dogs highlight for us. 

Treatments like ecotherapy, which work on the premise of simply being outdoors for extended periods, naturally become a part of our daily dog walk; we find peace in nature, we enjoy the company of our pooch, and we physically exert ourselves whilst doing so. It’s a win-win… win. 

Fresh air, green spaces and even the social interactions that arise from meeting other dog owners contribute to a healthier lifestyle and an improved mental state. 

Social Connection & Emotional Support

Loneliness is a growing issue in today’s society, particularly among older adults; as all our interactions move online, some are left behind, unable to adapt to a digital world. 

Dogs can help to bridge this gap in several ways, and a few of them might surprise you. 

The Bond With Your Dog

This one is obvious and we have already touched on it. Your dog will be there for you through thick and thin, it will love you unconditionally and pretty much always be happy to see you. Canine companionship is an important part of many people’s lives and should not be underestimated. 

The Canine Owners’ Community

Sometimes, the simple act of heading out the door for a walk with your dog can be enough to create social interactions that are otherwise lacking. Other dog owners will often stop for a chat to talk about, if nothing else, the joy of dogs. 

You can also find communities of people that are centred around dogs like canine agility classes, walking groups and pet friendly locations to meet up.  

Emotional Support

We’ve mentioned this already, but for those struggling with anxiety, the emotional support of a pup can ease the discomfort of social situations, offering a subject to talk about with neighbours, pet owners or even complete strangers, letting you build a sense of community on your own terms. 

It’s important not to underestimate the power of a pup, and the way a community can be moulded by the pets that live within it. 

Dogs and the Science of Happiness

For many, there is a simple joy in watching a dog play in the park, snuggle up in their favourite spot at home or get excited for their favourite walk. 

It’s an undeniable connection that has joined humankind and their dogs for millennia, and it’s hard to say if it’s the goofy antics, how excited they are to see us, or their unbridled ability to bring us joy; one thing we do know is that our connection with dogs is deeply rooted in age-old science. 

Since the first cave-people invited the first wolf to their fireside, dogs and humans have been intrinsically linked, and we now know that dogs quite literally reduce stress and boost our moods, without even doing anything. But when you look into the connection further, the links between dogs and those in recovery are astonishing.

One notable link is that dogs thrive on routine, consistency and stability. They like to sleep in the same spots, eat and exercise at the same time each day and enjoy structure; much like those recovering from trauma or mental distress.

Dogs can suffer from depression, just like us, and there are plenty of the same remedies, exercise, play, and interaction, to counteract this. So we know that humans can help dogs, and dogs can help humans to feel better and be better; there is surely no other relationship on the face of the earth that exists in such harmony. 

So give your dog a little bit of attention once you’ve finished reading this; it’ll be good for you both! 

A Life Changed by a Wagging Tail

There you have it, how dogs can change your life for the better by improving your mental health, reducing your anxiety, helping you to exercise and allowing you to be more social.

A dog’s unwavering companionship, their ability to improve our moods, and the impact they have upon us are profound and unique; we can recover simply by enjoying their presence, and enjoy the support of a loving friend whenever we need it. 

So, in answer to the question “Are dogs good for mental health?” the answer is yes, they really are; dogs do have the power to heal.

This guest blog was written by Sophie Bishop / @SophBishJourno

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