How Having A Pet Affects You

Dr. K’s Guide to Mental Health explores Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, and Meditation with 150+ video chapters in a Final Fantasy-inspired skilltree.

#shorts #drk #mentalhealth

[starhunter]

My cat brought me a thanksgiving mouse and I love her

[abuameer]

My cat literally saved my life many times. In my time in the military, when I was alone and had no one to turn to and was about to drink myself to death or thought about many different ways of self-harm, i always just remembered that I have to take care of her. When I was too depressed to move, she would drag her toy to me and get me moving to play with her. I owe my cat my life in that regard.

[phoebe]

I brought home a cat who had been living wild in the car park at work, husband went nuts. No way, he has to live 2 days later hes sleeping with him and has become his emotional support animal. My husband had open heart surgery with massive complications just before covid and is still struggling. That cat has helped him smile again, he finally wants to go out again, if only to shop for "his baby ".

[babesimmons]

One of the most precious things on Earth is an animal's unconditional Love which is Priceless

[DanielaRicci-wxzv]

My dog saved my sanity when my dear husband passed away suddenly.
Simply ...I had to walk her and feed her that evening..and the days after..
I also had someone to cry with and talk nonsense to help me survive.
Love her immensely!!❤❤❤❤

[tanyas]

I’m a nurse who has dealt with a variety of patients. Some of the seniors I’ve treated suffered from depression and “inactivity”, until I convinced them to get a pet. Having to “get over depression” to care for an animal that needed them and in return offered purpose and unconditional love, made most of them thrive.

[bobowon]

Brother was in a pretty rough spot. Went to apply for a job at the local animal shelter because no one else was hiring so might as well put in an application everywhere. Walked out with a cat and no plans on how to afford it. His life has been uphill ever since

[Xianne]

Don't forget the routine that the presence of the animal forces you to follow!

My cat won't let me over sleep.

He demands that I feed him first thing in the morning before doing anything else, and to adhere to his lunch and evening meal schedule as well.

Then it's my "job" to open the door at certain times of day for him to go out for his play time outdoors.

He follows my routine for getting ready for bed and goes to his little bed when I go to mine, though checking on me occasionally during the night.

If I ever mess up with this schedule I will be harshly "reprimanded" with angry meows.

As a single person I think it's important to have an animal as a companion to keep me on schedule and in a set routine.

[OneAdamAdam]

We don't deserve animals but they still grace us with their presence.

[winniecash]

My hens are a crack up. I love my girls ❤

[anstanch]

🐰 my bunny SAVED MY LIFE during lockdown. I will be forever grateful for my bun bun. He's still in my life and is 12 years old.

[christianguest]

Something big to note is that a lot of people will value the pet more than themselves which can trick you into more self help. You eat and sleep when they do. It makes you work hard to do things for them and you start MAKING A SCHEDULE for doing things that need to be done and forcing them to get done. That’s such a hard thing for some depressed people

[Abraxas]

I have an enormous, insurmountable resistance to showing any moderate to intense emotion in front of people. It just doesn't feel safe. But I'm able to let that out in front of my cat, and, before my ex husband ended up with him in the divorce, our dog Hudson. He's an amazing boy. Sometimes I'd be having a meltdown or panic attack, pulling out my hair and whatnot, and he'd come find me, stand up on his hind legs, and start forcing my arms down, then he'd bring me down to the floor and lay on my lap until i calmed down.
I found my cat abandoned at a scenic view area in the middle of nowhere when I was having a really hard night thinking about my impending divorce. His little orange head popped out of the tall grass when I parked, and when i invited him to come to me, he ran to me as though he'd been waiting for me to show up, then flopped onto his back at my feet. He's been with me ever since, my little co- pilot. 🥰

[Ljrocks]

My cat is so affectionate, that he has been a huge source of emotional support and healing for me after years of being in a toxic relationship, he has been a real source of comfort and has helped calm my emotions significantly, im forever grateful to have him in my life ☺️

[quizillafreak]

I miss my dog that passed during the covid pandemic more than any person that has ever passed in my life. She was a real friend to me, she was categorized as super important in my brain. Losing her felt like losing direct family.

[AshtonColby]

My cat has definitely saved my life. I had to be in the hospital for depression in April 2017. I got my cat a few months later in October 2017. I haven’t had to go back to the hospital for mental health since I got my cat and I’ve been sober since then.

[Johnny-gkx]

A large tumor was just spotted on my black lab's stomach.. she's hardly eating, will barely walk, but she still wags her tail when I'm near her. Bailey. ❤❤

[millennial-sos]

Lost both my seniors last year, my cat was 21 and my dog was 15. They definitely saved me many times. 🖤

[TheCeri]

I'm allergic to cats & never had one in my life. Recently, an angel came into my life to save me in the form of a cat. We came to each other when we needed each other. I needed to nurse her back to health and she gave me a reason to enjoy life again ❤ I thank God for Dune.

[immortalnanna]

When I tell you I would NOT be here if it weren’t for my cat. Having her around has kept me grounded.