Pets & Our Mental Health
- Rachel Velarde
- Oct, 23, 2020
- Dog Inspiration, Overall Wellness
- No Comments.

Never in a million years did I believe I would rely on my dogs the way I do now. Getting a dog for me was and always will be fun, exciting & memorable. But, the bond I have formed with Leo and Lola and the emotional dependency I have with them, is something I have never experienced. It could have something to do with the fact that they are MY first dogs. Growing up as a kid, with your “childhood dog” is different, although it was nothing short of wonderful, it’s non-comparable. Chewie and Sophie, taught me how to be compassionate, showed me how to love something other than family members and friends, taught me forgiveness, what an unbreakable companionship is and most importantly, how to love unconditionally. I believe they are the reasons why I love Leo and Lola to the extent that I do, and why I need them as much as I do.
During one’s adolescent years, life is viewed through innocent and fast moving eyes. Between school, sports, dance, sleepovers, boyfriends and all the fun growing up has to offer, there is hardly any desire to sit with oneself and really want to know what the meaning of it all is-life I mean. You are simply too busy living in the moment, having fun, staying busy in a good way and living responsibility free. However, as we age, we mature and we inevitably grow into the people our parents, friends and teachers shaped us to be; and life ironically speeds up. You will find yourself wishing the days were filled with more daylight, more fun and most importantly, more time. Time. Yes, time is the one thing that really seems to change as we age. Time is the healer of all things, but too, the reluctant reminder that we’re limited and only have so much of it. Time can be either against us or our best friend. But I will tell you, having a dog really makes you realize how precious and how cruel time can be…
Dogs age one year every fifty-two days!
The first time I read that not so “fun fact” my chest tightened and I could feel my eyes uncontrollably start to tear. I realized, my Leo and Lola, who are totally oblivious to time and what it truly means, will most likely run out of it before myself. It is hard to sit here and write this little piece of my heart and thoughts, but I know, whoever is out there reading this, has had the same moment of realization and simply cannot imagine it. How can I imagine my life without them? I replay this reminder in my head occasionally, whenever I see them doing something cute, I hear a sad song playing or I read a post about someone losing their dog-honestly, how will I even be able to go on and live life with them here with me? The sad and comforting part of this all is, life will go on. You will always keep them with you and they will be there to greet you one day on the other side of the rainbow bridge.
Any-who, aside from the mushy parts of being a dog parent, I now want to share why having a dog is so good for us emotionally, mentally and physically. I will go more into the emotional and mental part of it, because we all know having a dog will obviously get your bum moving and blood pumping a lot more LOL!

The Power of Animal-Assisted Therapy
Since then, scientists have discovered much more about the connection between pets and mental health. As a result, animal-assisted therapy programs have become an important part of mental health treatment. Moreover, individuals benefit from owning mental health animals, such as an emotional support dog. Since the 1990s, teen mental health programs have incorporated equine therapy programs. Equine Assisted Therapy actively involves horses in mental health treatment. The human-horse connection allows teens to address emotions and issues. They do this through a powerful, direct experience of nonverbal communication.
However, we can experience pet therapy benefits every day in our own homes. Below are 10 ways in which pets support mental health.
Interacting with Pets Lowers Our Stress Hormones
Studies around pets and mental health show that petting and playing with animals reduces stress-related hormones. And these benefits can occur after just five minutes of interacting with a pet. Therefore, pets are very helpful for anxiety sufferers.
Playing with a dog or cat raises our levels of serotonin and dopamine. These are hormones that calm and relax the nervous system. When we smile and laugh at our pets’ cute behavior, that helps stimulate the release of these “happiness hormones.”

Pets and Mental Health: Lowering Stress
Moreover, interacting with a friendly dog reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. And it increases the release of oxytocin—another chemical in the body that reduces stress naturally. That’s why animal-assisted therapy is so powerful.
Furthermore, the sensory act of stroking a pet lowers blood pressure. Therefore, it reduces stress. Consequently, studies have shown that dogs can help calm hyperactive or aggressive children. In one study, a group of stressed-out adults was told to pet a rabbit, a turtle, or a toy. Touching the toy didn’t have any effects. However, stroking the rabbit or turtle relieved anxiety. In addition, even people who didn’t particularly like animals experienced the benefits.

Pets Protect Against Childhood Anxiety
A pet dog may protect children from anxiety, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A total of 643 children participated in the study. A little over half of them had pet dogs in the home. Researchers measured the children’s BMI (body mass index), anxiety levels, screen time, and physical activity. As a result, they found that all the children had similar BMIs, screen time, and physical activity. This held true whether or not they had pet dogs. But their anxiety levels were different. In fact, 21 percent of the children who did not have a pet dog tested positive on a screening test for anxiety. However, only 12 percent of children with dogs tested positive for anxiety. Therefore, pets clearly have a beneficial effect on childhood stress and anxiety. As a result, children who grow up with pets may have a better chance of becoming happy and healthy teens.

Our Pets Make Us Feel Needed
People feel more needed and wanted when they have a pet to care for. The act of caretaking has mental health benefits. Caring for another living thing gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. Furthermore, this is true even when the pets don’t interact very much with their caregivers. In a 2016 study around pets and mental health, elderly people were given five crickets in a cage. Researchers monitored their mood over eight weeks. Moreover, they compared them to a control group that was not caring for pets. As a result, the participants that were given crickets became less depressed after eight weeks than those in the control group. Therefore, researchers concluded that caring for a living creature produced the mental health benefits. Thus, doing things for the good of others reduces depression and loneliness.

Pets Increase Our Sense of Self-Esteem and Well-Being
Recently, psychologists at Miami University and Saint Louis University conducted three experiments on the benefits of pet ownership. Subsequently, the American Psychological Association published the results.
The studies showed that pet owners had improved well-being in various areas, including the following:
- Better self-esteem
- More physically fit
- Less lonely
- More conscientious and less preoccupied
- More extroverted
- Less fearful
In the first study, 217 people answered questions about their well-being, personality type, and attachment style. And pet owners were happier, healthier, and better adjusted than non-owners.
A second experiment involved 56 dog owners. Researchers examined pet owners’ feelings about their pets. In addition, they measured their well-being. One group of people reported that their dogs increased their feelings of belonging, self-esteem, and meaning. Thus, these participants showed greater overall well-being than the other participants.
Furthermore, 97 undergraduates with an average age of 19 participated in the third study. As a result, researchers found that pets can help adolescents feel better after experiencing rejection.
The teens were asked to write about a time when they felt excluded. Then they were asked to do one of three things: write about their favorite pet, write about their favorite friend, or draw a map of their campus. And writing about pets was just as effective as writing about a friend in combating feelings of rejection.

Pets Are Great Examples of Being in the Moment
Pets live in the moment. In other words, they don’t worry about what happened yesterday. Moreover, they aren’t worried about what might happen tomorrow. As a result, pets can help people become more mindful. Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to the present moment. Therefore, pets can help teens enjoy and appreciate the present moment. In addition, pets help distract teens from what’s bothering them. And spending time with a pet helps teens remember how to be playful and carefree.

Pets Support Recovery from Mental Illness
Pets are extremely helpful for people recovering from severe mental health conditions. A new meta-analysis looked at 17 academic papers drawn from nine medical databases. As a result, researchers found evidence that having a pet benefits people with mental health conditions. The papers looked at how cats, dogs, hamsters, finches, and even goldfish affected the mental well-being of people living with a mental illness. Overall, the review found that pets helped the participants to manage their emotions. In addition, it distracted them from the symptoms of their mental health condition.
For example, a 2016 study at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom involved 54 participants. All of them had been diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a result, 60 percent of participants placed a pet in their most important circle of supportive connections. Furthermore, about half of the participants said that pets helped them manage their illness and everyday life. Having pets also gave them a strong sense of identity, self-worth, and meaning. Moreover, pets distracted them from symptoms like hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, or rumination.
Moreover, caring for a pet also gave owners a feeling of being in control. Plus, it gave them a sense of security and routine.
One participant said, “When I was so depressed, I was kind of suicidal. The thing that made me stop was wondering what the rabbits would do. That was the first thing I thought of … I can’t leave because the rabbits need me.”
“Pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which they were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,” said Dr. Helen Brooks, lead author of the study. Dr. Brooks and her team concluded that pet ownership has a valuable contribution to mental health. Therefore, it should be incorporated into patients’ individual care plans of patients.

Pets Help Us Build Healthy Habits
Pets need to be taken care of every day. As a result, they help us build healthy habits and routines.
Physical activity: Dog owners need to take their pets for walks, runs, and hikes regularly. Therefore, owners receive the benefits of exercise. Studies show that dog owners are far more likely to meet recommended daily exercise requirements.
Time in nature: Walking a dog or riding a horse gets us outside. As a result, we experience the many mental health benefits of being outdoors.
Getting up in the morning: Dogs and cats need to be fed on a regular schedule. As a result, pet owners need to get up and take care of them—no matter what mood they are in. Hence, pets give people a reason to get up and start their day.
Pet care supports self-care: Caring for a dog, horse, or cat reminds us to care for ourselves as well. For example, teens that groom horses in Equine Assisted Therapy remember the importance of caring for their own health.

Pets Help Build Relationship Skills
Research shows that children who are emotionally attached to their dogs have an easier time building relationships with other people. Hence, because dogs follow human cues, they support kids’ emotional development. Dogs in particular are sensitive to their owner’s moods and emotions.
Moreover, animals make socializing easier for kids who find it stressful. One study examined the behavior of children with autism in a classroom with a pet guinea pig. Researchers found that these children were more social with their peers than autistic kids without classroom pets. In addition, they smiled and laughed more, and showed fewer signs of stress.
Equine-Assisted Therapy also helps teens build relationship skills. As a result, teens create meaningful and abiding relationships with their horses. Subsequently, the confidence and skills they develop transfer to relationships with family and friends. This is an essential step in growth and recovery.

Pets Support Social Connection
Another result of pets and mental health, for teens and adults, is that pets support social connection. They relieve social anxiety because they provide a common topic to talk about. Hence, pets counteract social isolation.
For example, walking a dog often leads to conversations with other dog owners. As a result, dog owners tend to be more socially connected and less isolated. Therefore, their mental health improves. That’s because people who have more social relationships and friendships tend to be mentally healthier.
The benefits of social connection include
- Better self-esteem
- Lower rates of anxiety and depression
- Happier, more optimistic outlook
- Stronger emotional regulation skills
- Improved cognitive function
- More empathy and feelings of trust toward others

Last But Not Least …They Give Us Unconditional Love
Dogs and cats love their owners unconditionally. For example, pets don’t care how teens did on a test. Moreover, they don’t judge teens on their social skills or athletic ability. They are simply happy to see their owners. And they want to spend time with them, no matter what. This kind of unconditional love is good for mental health. It stimulates the brain to release dopamine, the chemical involved in sensing pleasure.
To summarize, the research on pets and mental health is clear. Therefore, people might want to learn how to ask a doctor for an emotional support animal. In addition, teens that love animals might enjoy working at an animal shelter or at a riding stable. And families who don’t have pets can go to their local humane society and bring home a new member of the family.

About Dip’ n Dogs Hydrotherapy – Orlando, FL
At Dip’n Dogs Hydrotherapy, we are certified and caring professionals devoted to restoring and enhancing the health and happiness of your beloved pup. Encompassing a pool, as well as a certified hydrotherapist, this can provide effective and long lasting results for your pet’s injury or illness. We are conveniently located in Winter Park, FL. Contact us today at (407) 227-0030. Our Services include the following: Outdoor Hydrotherapy and In-Home Mobile Therapy for dogs. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Our Clients Are Saying
Rachel is extremely kind, gentle and motivational towards animals. She provides quality individual attention.
What a great way to help your animal!Chase Milner March 20, 2018
"My Lab mix Tucker, is a new client of Dip'n Dogs. After just a few assisted swims with Rachel, we have seen great results with his weight loss and overall behavior. Rachel is fun and motivating when in the water and Tucker really loves his weekly swim session!"
Patrick Haggerty March 22, 2018
"Rachel is amazing! The changes in Blu’s overall physical health have been worth every effort. I recommend hydrotherapy for any dog’s overall fitness health."
Jennifer Corso Leonard April 29, 2018
"Rachel is wonderful with our fur baby Bella. We were told by Bella’s vet that she needed to lose some weight and we are already seeing results! Bella may not be the easiest client (very much a diva) but Rachel is so patient and gentle with her. Bella is a mix of husky and German Shepherd so we want to keep her fit to prevent conditions that are common with those breeds."
Kaela Rebecca April 30, 2018
"Our little Yorkie Jack has arthritis and our vet recommended trying hydrotherapy. Jack is a yipper but remains calm with Rachel! After his sessions, we do see Jack go up the two steps he usually avoids, with less hesitation and his walking seems easier! Thank you Rachel!"
Joni Browder April 30, 2018
"Our 11 year-old Yorkie just started hydrotherapy for his arthritis. Since starting, he’s a little more agile, and goes upstairs with more ease! Thanks Rachel for all you do and your extra TLC with our little Jack!"
Caitlin Browder May 5, 2018
My beagle, Badger, is overweight (like many beagles are) but I wasn’t too worried because we would go for long walk/runs to keep him healthy. BUT, his hips began to hurt and he wouldn’t walk for more than just a few minutes. I was worried he would become obese! I found Dip’n Dogs online and signed Badger up for hydrotherapy with Rachel. Not only is he almost back to normal with our walks but he has lost a bit of weight! The swims have definitely benefited him. Rachel is kind, patient and very flexible with scheduling appointments. Plus, her package deals help with the cost. I highly recommend her services. Both Badger and I are much happier than we were a month or so ago!”
Camille King July 12, 2018
“Jack’s mobility has benefited from the swimming sessions in a short time. I appreciate the patience and care Rachel has shown with our 17 year old Jack Russell. He needs special attention and she always gives him terrific assistance. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy earlier in his life. I know he would be in even better shape than he is now.”
Seth Miller July 12, 2018
"Hope is getting her second session of water therapy to help with her arthritis in her spine and legs and build her leg muscles back up! Maria and I love her trainer Rachel!"
Andrea Ruiz-Hays July 17, 2018
"Rachel has been awesome and I would most definitely recommend her!! My 12 year old beagle recently had knee surgery and she reached out to me through social media to let me know about her services. When it came time for him to start hydrotherapy as part of his recovery I contacted Rachel and set up an appointment. She was very responsive to messages and easy to get a hold of to set up our first appointment. After our first session my beagle started walking better and showing improvement in his healing process. I decided to buy a 4 session pack from her and taking him to see her weekly. Since we have started, his mobility has improved after each session and he gets around better than ever."
Caitlyn Canada July 17, 2018
"Rachel became certified in canine hydrotherapy through the certification program we offer through The Canine Fitness Institute. Since then, she has been working with dogs daily and I've seen her skills and competence grow by leaps and bounds. She opened her own business in 2018 - Dip N Dogs Canine Hydrotherapy and is doing a great job helping a wide variety of dogs regain strength after surgery, lose weight, become more mobile even though they have arthritis, and more. To further her knowledge, she continues to study and research a variety of orthopedic conditions that routinely affect dogs. She is very personable and her clients love her and the care she gives their dogs. If your dog can benefit from the incredible healing effects of hydrotherapy, I recommend you give Rachel a call."
Sherri Cappabianca July 17, 2018
"Jack was always extremely active throughout his life. Now at 17 plus years, he isn’t able to walk as well as we would like, due to arthritis and atrophy from age a medications he has taken. The hydrotherapy treatments with Rachel have made such a difference. They have helped him maintain his mobility and gain additional strength. Jack swims twice a week with Rachel. He swims very hard and I think he enjoys the mobility in the water that he no longer has on land. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy and Rachel earlier. I don’t think it is ever to early to start your dog swimming. I know would be in even better shape now than he is, if we had started him sooner. I highly recommend Rachel to work with your pet. She always has Jack’s best interest in mind and we certainly appreciate that."
Carrie Miller September 10, 2018
"Rachel is a pro when it comes to helping our dog Ellie feel comfortable during her swimming session. She has a kind nature towards animals and is really good at what she does. I'm glad we found out about her business. I highly recommend her services for your pet's well being."
Andy Schifaro September 10, 2018
"Rachel's calm, confident approach had our dog very comfortable."
Tracy Robinson September 10, 2018
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer September 10, 2018
"Rachel was wonderful with my Dusty who had an FHO done on his right hip but his left hip is not so good either. As of right now his right has healed wonderfully and his left hip is holding strong! I believe it is because of hydrotherapy with Rachel. Dusty had his surgery in March and I can’t go fast enough for him on his walks! I might need some hydrotherapy myself!"
Terrie Sandefur October 3, 2018
"Rachel seems to see and love my Hannah's Spirit. Hannah recently said goodbye, for now, to Hazel, her litter mate and twin. Needing some fun new experiences and with a recent arthritis diagnosis, Dip'n Dogs was a nice adventure. Hannah enjoys the pool. Seems a natural swimmer. And Rachel has a good positive energy!"
Gwen Hartmann October 4, 2018
"Rachel is a caring and experienced dog guardian and is one of my dog, Maisie’s, favorite people. I highly recommend Dip'n Dogs!"
Marcia Caton February 18, 2019
"Sophie doesn't love the pool but Rachel was so great with her that Sophie was giving her kisses by the end! I'm so excited about Sophie continuing her hydrotherapy!"
Katlyn Billue February 18, 2019
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer February 18, 2019
"Guinness and I are so happy that we met Rachel. She is super nice, gentle, patient and knows how to make Guinness comfortable in the pool, because he gets soo nervous. She is helping Guiness get back on his leg after a luxating patella injury. Right now he is doing great and starting to put his leg down when walking. I would definitely recommend Rachel- best hydrotherapy
:) and she does a great job in the pool. Thank you Rachel!"
Noelia Cocco February 18, 2019
"From the instant that I met Rachel, I felt comfortable with her and would have trusted her with any of my dogs. She came and worked with my senior, blind Shih Tzu this summer. My Millicent has arthritis, bad skin, allergies and had recently developed a heart murmur. Rachel made sure to go over Millie’s health history with me and was very aware of how Millie was doing the whole time she worked with her. It is great exercise for an old, lazy dog!"
Kristi Klein February 18, 2019