Research has indicated that interacting with animals can help people improve their mental health and decrease loneliness. At Cottonwood in Tucson, Arizona, we treat a wide range of behavioral health conditions, including substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, process addictions, and eating disorders. We believe in taking a holistic approach to treatment, utilizing interventions that promote physical, mental, and spiritual health, to improve the lives we touch.

The Healing Power of Pets

As much as we can benefit from engaging with other humans, there are also many benefits to interacting with furry friends, such as:

• Companionship – Loneliness is a struggle that many people face, but having a pet reduces loneliness by offering companionship and also giving people a way to connect with other humans (e.g., when dog owners meet other dog owners while walking their dogs). When human companionship was restricted due to COVID-19, many people adopted pets as a way to manage being isolated from other humans.
• Boosted moods – Making eye contact with your pet has been found to cause the release of oxytocin, a chemical our brains create that makes us feel more happy.
• Consistent routines – Caring for a pet can help us stay on a schedule and give us a reason to exercise, both of which are good for our sense of well-being. People who are struggling with anxiety or depression often feel more in control as a result of having routines and report fewer symptoms as a result.
• Reduced stress – Being around animals has been scientifically shown to reduce the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) in a person’s body. Many people also report feeling less stressed after interacting with animals. 
• Better physical health – People who struggle to exercise might be more willing to go for a walk if it is part of taking care of their dog.
• Sense of purpose – Having a reason to get out of bed in the morning can make it easier for people to push forward during difficult times. Workers at suicide hotlines are trained to ask callers about pets because this sometimes gives them enough reason not to end their lives.

Animals With Jobs

Sometimes animals are more than just pets. Sometimes they support humans in more specific ways:

• Service animals – Dogs are frequently trained to help people detect the onset of a mental health episode, assist them in taking their medications, turn on lights, disrupt self-harm behaviors, or perform other tasks people might need while in psychiatric distress. People whose mental health makes it harder for them to sleep also often report sleeping better with a pet nearby. Veterans with service dogs reported:
  • Fewer symptoms of PTSD
  • Lower levels of depression
  • Increased life satisfaction
  • Lower levels of isolation
  • More resilience
  • Better overall psychological well-being
• Therapy animals – Specially certified dogs are trained to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities with their handlers to support patients there. Therapy dogs are also sometimes utilized in schools and libraries to help children who may struggle with anxiety around reading or have behavioral concerns.
• Emotional support animals – These animals are not generally trained to perform special functions for people, so they don’t have the same protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act as service animals. Even so, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, horses, and other creatures considered to be emotional support animals provide comfort and mental health benefits to their owners by just being present. Under the Fair Housing Act, tenants who reside in pet-free dwellings are still allowed to have pets with no additional fee if the pet is prescribed by a licensed therapist or doctor.

Alternative Ways to Interact with Animals

If you don’t have the time, space, or money to support a pet, you can still interact with animals by volunteering at a shelter or visiting an animal sanctuary. You may also have a friend or family member who could use a pet sitter when they need to be away from home for work or vacation. Studies have found that people who volunteer with animals experience better mental health, less work-life conflict, and less likelihood of developing high blood pressure–and feel less rushed even when they are busy. Results were present after only three or four hours per week or a couple of days per month.

At Cottonwood, we encourage our patients to utilize a wide range of interventions to manage their mental health symptoms, including therapy, medications, mindfulness, reaching out to other people, and, if it appeals to them, finding a four-legged friend to snuggle.