Dogs are not just pets; they are cherished members of our families, offering unconditional love and companionship. However, beyond their roles as loyal companions, dogs possess remarkable healing powers that profoundly impact our physical and mental health.
What got me thinking about this is that one of our members in our Facebook group posted this photo:
And she talked about how her husband was in the hospital, fighting liver cancer. His blood pressure was way too high, and they couldn’t seem to get it down…until McKinley came to visit her daddy. Then it dropped down to completely normal.
Lynda (McKinley’s mom) says that McKinley and her brother Rascal helped her when she went through chemotherapy for 2 years, and now it’s her husband’s turn.
Another member, Tina-Marie, told about how her Chihuahua, Nalla, warns her when Tina-Marie is about to have a seizure. I find that fascinating.
Dogs and Mental Health
Some people now get their dogs certified as emotional support dogs. And they really do help with our emotional well-being. Watch this video of how this dog helps a boy with Autism.
Veterans suffering from PTSD have found solace and support through service dogs, who assist in mitigating symptoms and providing emotional stability during challenging times.
Therapy dog programs have gained traction in healthcare settings, with trained dogs offering comfort and emotional support to patients in hospitals, residents in nursing homes, and students in schools.
These programs highlight the therapeutic benefits of human-animal interactions in alleviating stress and promoting social well-being.
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), including equine therapy and dolphin-assisted therapy, have shown promise in treating mental health disorders and improving overall well-being.
These interventions harness the innate bond between humans and animals to facilitate healing and emotional growth.
Dogs and Physical Health
You may have heard about dogs being able to sniff out cancer. My little Yorkie Ziggy found my breast cancer and I credit him with helping me find it in time since it was a very aggressive form of cancer.
And I mentioned above how they can also warn someone when that person is about to have a seizure.
It has been proven in many studies that petting a dog has a calming effect on our bodies. Our blood pressure is lowered. The University of New York found in a study of stockbrokers who were being treated for hypertension, that almost half of those who adopted a dog, lowered their blood pressure enough that they were able to go off their medication for it.
In the August 2002 edition of the Journal of The American Medical Association there was an article on the results of a study showing that children who grow up with pets have a reduced chance of allergies and asthma.
Dr. Erika Friedmann of Brooklyn College found in a study that those heart attack victims that owned a dog, were 8 times more like to survive one year after suffering the heart attack.
Dr. Jeff Burgess, a physician at the University of Washington Pain Center says “By initiating and maintaining the relaxation response, pets can take people’s focus off of their pain and elevate their moods.
Secondly, through touch or physical contact, they can block transmission of their pain from the periphery to the central nervous system shutting the pain processing centers down.”
So in other words, pets help us deal with pain.
Service dogs play crucial roles in assisting individuals with physical disabilities, such as guiding the visually impaired, retrieving items for those with mobility issues, and alerting individuals with hearing impairments to sounds.
Their trained abilities enhance independence and mobility for their handlers, significantly improving their quality of life.
Canine-assisted rehabilitation programs utilize dogs to help patients regain motor skills, improve balance, and enhance physical function following injuries or illnesses. Through activities such as walking and playing fetch, dogs provide motivation and support for patients undergoing rehabilitation therapies.
Health Benefits to Seniors
There have been studies that show that elderly people who own dogs help delay dementia. That’s because taking care of a dog helps the person to have something to focus on.
Dog ownership also provides them with exercise, and companionship and gives them something to live for.
I have personal experience with this. After my mother’s beloved dog Prince died, she just seemed to lose interest in living and felt like she no longer had a reason to get up most mornings. She passed away about a year after her dog died.
Dogs truly are God’s little furry angels sent to earth to help us. Do you agree?
Has your dog helped you heal? I’d love to know your story. Let us know in the comments.
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Cathy Bendzunas
Pet Blogger
I have been on antidepressants for as long as I can remember possibly 16 years and since I got my furbabies in August 2015 I has been off them for 4 months now. The power of the chihuahua is unbelievable
That’s wonderful Angela! I agree, they are powerful little angels!
I could not imagine life without my precious fur baby Chester. I got Chester from the time he was a little 9 week old puppy, he’ll be turning 4 in August of this year, and he has brightened up my life! Before him, I’d never ever considered getting a chihuahua but thanks to him, I am completely enamoured with the breed. He is the sweetest and most loyal dog I have ever had!!!
I love absolutely everything about him: from his huge eyes and big ears to his sunny disposition, he is a true pleasure to have around! He sleeps in my bed every single night, snuggling up to me whether it’s under the blankets or top of them. I suffer from anxiety and there is nothing more soothing and calming than holding him in my arms and having him lick my face and look st me with his beautiful loving eyes!!! Love you with all my heart my precious Chester!!!
@Diane G., I so agree with you, Diane. I have had so many different breeds of dogs for over 64 years. They are each loving in their own way. Until Chihuahua’s became a part of my life, I never had the feeling of so much heart and soul they give me. I don’t understand why it’s so different, but it is. They are certainly the treasures of the canine world!
Chester is adorable Diane! I’m glad you have him to help you through your anxiety.
Thank you Cathy! He is a true blessing!!!
I have had a chi. For years but I knew after 18 years it was going to be not to long until she had to go over the rainbow bridge, and since I had just lost my husband of 52 years, I was really afraid of loosing her also. One day going to the humane society to give. Donation in memory of my husband there was what I thought was a bird out side area for dogs. I watched and pretty soon out came this little dog. It was in, the pen with larger dogs and was scared to death. I went immediately and got help and told them what was happening and they came out and asked me if I,d like to hold her.well of course the rest is history. Yes sissy did go over that bridge shortly ,but I have misty who I thank god every day for. I couldn’t,t have gone on with out her.
My Chi banies know exactly where my pre skin cancer is and lick those spots. Also I have muscle issues and my arm was killing me andmy two chi babies knew and went to town licking the worst painful spots. No cure but they like to lick where I have pain on my feet, legs etc. I love them.
That’s a wonderful story Nan. So glad you rescued Misty!
I suffer from severe panic attacks and got to the point of not wanting to leave my house alone. My husband suggested adopting a puppy and it was love at first sight. She is now my emotional support dog and I feel like I have my independence back.
That’s great Mandy! So glad your little girl has helped you so much.
My chihuahua, knew when my white blood count would drop whenI was under chemotherapy, she wouldn’t let anyone come near me, which alerted my family to take me to the hospital. My chi saved my life twice
I love that Mary! What a great example of how dogs help heal us.
My Chihuahua -pincsher mix let me know that I had breast cancer..While in treatment he stood by my side and even helped me keep my balance when I was in extreme pain. He’s awesome (Tobytaz) age 5
That is awesome Carmen! What a cute little trooper Tobytaz is!
I feel my Chi and Min Pin have became part of our family at the perfect time. They fill voids left by our children having families of their own. We refer to Gigi and Zoe as the “Kids”or the “Girls”. They have so much love to give. We have been blessed by them.
You are very lucky A.J. to have 2 such sweet little girls.
My mixed breed Mooch detected cancer in my left leg long before the doctors did. I adopted Mooch when he was only 4 weeks old, and from day one, he was my shadow. I started noticing after Mooch turned 7 years old, he seemed obsessed with my left leg. He would stand against my leg, lick it , and lie down on my left foot whenever I was sitting in a chair. I made jokes about how he was in love with my leg. After a routine doctor’s visit, I had mentioned that I had a bump on my left knee for ages that wouldn’t go away, so my doctor had me return a week later for a biopsy, and the results came back that it was indeed a cancerous tumor. It was a very rare cancer called Merkel Cell cancer. It then dawned on me that had to have been why Mooch had been so obsessed with my left leg! He knew there was something not right. All during my radiation treatments and surgeries, Mooch would stay by my left side, but not make contact with my left leg. It was like he was protecting my leg though. That was 2 years ago, and Mooch ended up with numerous cancerous tumors on his left hind leg and abdomen that were inoperable. Mooch died in my arms a year ago. I miss him everyday. I loved that big ol mutt.
That’s an amazing story about Mooch! Dogs are so amazing!
My Chi was lost in the woods for 7 days, she weighed 2 lbs. 6 oz. at the time .
I prayed for her return and on the seventh day a farmer plowing his field saw her , he said later I never get off my tractor but someone spoke to hm and told him to get off and check it out . I was s o thrilled that God answered my fervent prayers that I just want anyone reading this to know God is alive and He hears and answers prayer . I took the little dog to the vet and she was amazed at her condition because it was a very hot week with the Bush full of flys and bugs not to mention all the wild animals that could have eaten her .i changed her name to Karma !
Wow Hazel, that’s amazing that she survived! Thanks for telling us about it! I love miracle stories.
Thats so awesome ! I am a very strong Christian, and definitely wouldn’t be alive today if I wasn’t. God has helped my little Chloe and I through many hard times and illnesses. I almost lost her last year because of chicken dog treats I bought at Wal-Mart. They were imported from China, and she got Fanconi’s Syndrome from eating them. It is a very dangerous disease that affects kidneys. Vets told me she may not pull through it, which would have devastated me. She is my precious little baby. Very loving, kind and affectionate. We are together all the time. She got me through the loss of my Chi named Daphnie, that I had for 15 years, and lost to heart problems. I got Chloe a few weeks after her death. Anyways, lots of love and prayers are what got Chloe well. And in just 3 months. Vet was amazed at her expediant recovery, and basically said it was a miracle. I said yes, a miracle from God. I often read the Bible out loud so Chloe can enjoy it too, when I do my Bible studies, and was doing that a whole lot during her illness. So, she is a Christian too, I believe. And I also sing her Christian songs when she isn’t feeling well, or having that breathing issue that Chis sometimes get, the one referred to as goose honking. So far, singing those songs to her, gets her through those very quickly every time. Have a blessed eve…
That’s amazing Torri!
Do you remember what brand of treats they were that hurt Chloe?
So sorry for the late reply. Just saw your response. I had bought about 3 different brands of chicken jerky and chicken jerky rawhide treats. The vets told me not to ever give her any chicken treats of any kind from China. In fact, no pork ones either. If you google the chicken jerky treats from China/Fanconi Syndrome, it should lead you to a list of all the ones not to get. And you can read about all the very sad cases of dogs getting Fanconi Syndrome like Chloe did.
Thanks for the info. I have bought jerky from Walmart for my pups before. Sure won’t do that again.
Our Ted is my husbands therapy partner. Husband has had to knee and one hip surgery I work all day where he is retired. Ted gets him walking everyday! We had big dogs before such as bouvier and Shepard’s but as my husband fits to keep his balance I knew we could not get a big dog we went to the Durham humane society and met our first chihuahua buddy he had been for 3 yrs due to high fear aggression after visiting him for 5 wks (short story) we took him home Buddy was our first intro to chihuahuas and now we love the characteristics of the breed. No one could believe we got one. We rescue the geriatric chis they are really much easier to train then the young ones we don’t get to keep them long but they have a great home this is our third
I love your story Deb and I love how you are helping senior chis too! Thanks for sharing.
My two Chihuahuas sure help me with my stress. And Chio helped me when I was going through chemo treatments for cancer. I cannot live without my little girls, they are the best in the world for me and I have had them certified as emotional support animals.
They really are the best in the world Dianna. I’m so glad you have your fur babies to help you through your health problems.
Thank you so much, Cathy.
I have had many dogs in my life, but these two Chihuahuas are…………
Anyway, it is hard to describe just how much they mean to me. Chio recently went through a stroke and it has taken a while for her to bounce back. She is 11 years old and I so happy for every day that I get to spend with her. Little Angel is a rescue from Los Angeles and is deaf. L.A. is very dependent on Chio to know when to bark when someone rings the doorbell. LOL L.A. was debarked before we got her, but she can still bark a little.
I just love my two little girls so much.
Thank you again!
You’re welcome Dianna. Hope you have many more healthy years with Chio and your other fur kids.
My husband and I got our Chihuahua Winter on Boxing Day. The 4th of January my husband suddenly passed away. If I hadn’t had my very tiny chi to look after and love when he passed I’d likely just stayed in bed and pined away. She was my reason for living. I never would have survived without her. She’s my special baby.
I’m so glad your chi was there for you when you needed her the most.
My doctor had me register Charley as a medical alert. He wakes me up if my nose is going to bleed. He has also woke me up when I’m going to have a Menieres attack. He woke me up to let me know something was wrong with my husband. His sugar had dropped to 26 and he was out. Called the EMT and they said give more minutes he would have been in a coma. So he is ok now. I’m so glad we have this little boy. He has really been a life saver. We love him so much.
What a little hero he is!
This is a bit off the topic but I’m at my wits end. My puppy Pepper is a pure bred Chihuahua and is 10 months old. He hates to go outside or walk on a leash. He stiffens up and refuses to walk. All he wants to do is run back home. I’ve tried to just carry him awhile hoping to acclimate him to the outdoors but when I put him down he just pulls until I take him home. I must add that I have two Chihuahuas and they use puppy pads in the utility room and bathroom rather than going outside. My older dog has health problems and has trouble walking, his back legs are weak. He also suffers from seizures and has a collapsing trachea.
Sorry this is so long. I love your newsletter and appreciate your tips.
Good question Carol. If your other dog would walk too, that might make your puppy want to walk too but that doesn’t sound like an option. A training class like the kind they have at PetCo or PetSmart would probably help but with the COVID stuff, they probably isn’t an option now either.
If you want, I can ask on the Facebook page to get more ideas.
I have 2 rescue Chi they are 10 yrs. old they both have heart murmurs and the youngest has seizures we got them when they were around 3 months they both are the best, but now having a problem with there food we have try so many different kinds they are really picky eaters and they want to eat when they want to the Dr. said they would eat when there hungry the little one also has stomach problem when his stomach growls he wont eat for a day Dr. gave med. but nothing helps we stop giving him just enough cheese to get him to take his pills now we like put it down his throat very carefully he wont take peanut butter if stomach is ok he will take with a little ham or beef just to get it down any tips we would appreciate.We love your news letter
You have your hands full with your little one Beverly!
My chi has helped me with weight problems and diabetes cuz we go for walks and I’m not depressed anymore thxz to petunia🐾🐾
That’s wonderful Cynthia!
I have a chiwawa model bigger. I have severe pain in my left leg. The dog sniff and lick where the pain is. When he lick my leg he salive a lot. (Excuse my English I am a swedish women. A friend of mine who suffers from rheumatism. When the dog meets he start sniffing her hands and albow and start licking. He knows where her pain is worst
I’m fascinated about how they can sense our pain. Thanks for sharing about this Kerstin!
After my husband had a terrible motorcycle accident suffering a TBI- Traumatic brain injury when he got out of the trauma center over a month later our chi Finny Paul laid right by his head for weeks- He was very protective of him and when people came over they knew they had to check in with Mr. Finny Paul first! Finny since then and prior to this event had and does not ever sleep by our heads- He is a mid leg kinda dude! He even sleeps under our bed right under his chihuahua daddy Corey.We know he is our little angel!
My baby girl Minnie passed August 22 2019. I was heartbroken to say the least. I suffer from anxiety and depression at times. During the beginning of the pandemic it got really hard. Missing not seeing my daughter and grandchildren my dad siblings the whole thing. My girlfriend called me up this past April and said that they knew a family who got a puppy and unfortunately they just didn’t have the time for him. The mom was working from home two kids to teach husband away working, so they wanted to find this puppy a great home instead of taking him back to the breeder. So about that following weekend my husband and I drove up to my girlfriend’s house. She had brought him home and kept him for me until we could get up there. Well Norman is now 8 months old and we love him dearly. He’s brought so much healing and helped me especially tremendously. We also have an 11 year old Tea Cup Chihuahua we rescued named Dexter. So it’s very true that dogs can help us physically and mentally.
That’s wonderful Andrea! I’m so glad you were able to give Norman (and Dexter too) a good home!
Absolutely, my pets have helped my anxiety and acute depression. I can’t and won’t live without them. They definitely help keep my mind off my problems and get me to focus on their needs. I love them. My Chi Ella, GC Conure Sir Lancelot and Budgie Bella, my world x
I totally agree Peg
When I meditate my dogs like to sit on my knee and be close to me. I asked my meditation instructor she felt there was energy attraction that humans and dogs have.
I love that John and it makes sense to me.
I love the stories and the pictures of these precious little Chihuahuas and Chi mixes. So happy on Fridays!
I’m so glad Jane! You made my day.
Thank you for the update!
Yes dogs are God’s little love angels!!
Yes, they definitely are!
I certainly agree with this. My little Chihuahua is the first ever dog I have owned. My mum persuaded me to get him when I was going through some very difficult personal things. I can honestly say he saved my life. ❤️
I’m so glad you had your chi there for you Faye!
My beloved husband died in 2007. It was our Chihuahua, 8-Ball, who got me through my terrible loss. He would let me hold him for hours, now and then touching my chin with the top of his head to let me know he was still there for me. I can’t count the amount of times I cried and soaked his little head.
When 8-Ball passed I searched and searched for another dog. After two months, I realized I was actually pining away. And then one night, there she was on the computer screen–Bella.
I called the shelter, met Bella the next day, and brought her home with me.
It took time, but eventually Bella brought me back to live once again. We have been together for 14 years now, and I look upon finding Bella as one of most wonderful events in my life.
I’m so sorry for your loss Marguerite but I love your story!