Our dogs are such amazing little creatures. They are part of our families. They love us unconditionally and we love them! Did you know they have healing powers too?
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 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 ready 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.
Dogs have helped veterans suffering P.T.S.D. deal with their flashbacks. They help emotionally traumatized children to heal.
I know my dogs have helped me deal with some traumatic events in my life. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have them to turn to.
Dogs and Physical Health
We have heard about dogs being able to sniff out 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.
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, 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.
Jane Freeman
Saturday 24th of September 2022
I love the stories and the pictures of these precious little Chihuahuas and Chi mixes. So happy on Fridays!
Cathy
Saturday 24th of September 2022
I'm so glad Jane! You made my day.
John Trudeau
Friday 23rd of September 2022
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.
Cathy
Friday 23rd of September 2022
I love that John and it makes sense to me.
Peg
Saturday 25th of September 2021
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
Cathy
Saturday 25th of September 2021
I totally agree Peg
Andrea Stavinga
Saturday 25th of September 2021
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.
Cathy
Saturday 25th of September 2021
That's wonderful Andrea! I'm so glad you were able to give Norman (and Dexter too) a good home!
Maria and Corey Sharp- Waco -Texas
Friday 24th of September 2021
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!