‘Never Underestimate the Power of Acceptance’

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Our pets can help us with everything including autism, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, and loneliness. Pets give us unconditional love and someone to nurture.

 One example is Joie Henney from Pennsylvania who has an emotional support American alligator named Wally who was rescued from the wild.  Joie dealt with severe depression after an accident that took the life of his son. He felt like it was his fault and believed he was an evil person who deserved to go to hell.

Joie always liked reptiles from a young age. Wally helped him to forgive himself and lift his depression. He now takes Wally, a certified emotional support animal, to malls, schools, and nursing homes to educate and uplift people.  Wally gives Joie and others hugs freely.

 Wally and the other rescue alligators have free run of their house and access to a little indoor pool. Wally watches TV and listens to music. His favorite movies are Lion King and Gladiator.  Joie says that Wally has changed his life for the better.

Emotional support animals can be dogs and cats but also horses, goats, and cows among other animals.  One man who had cows in the barn next to his house was asked by his landlord to get rid of the cows. His therapist sent a letter stating that the cows were emotional support animals, and he was allowed to keep them.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Shannon Walker is the founder and CEO of Northwest Battle Buddies, a non-profit foundation that matches expertly trained service-dogs with combat veterans battling PTSD free of charge. She explores the compelling history of the man-dog relationship in the must-see above linked Tedx Talk.

She tells us the touching story of Gordon and his service dog, Flame. Before Flame, Gordon dealt with severe PTSD and attempted suicide. When he experienced suicidal thoughts in the shower one day, Flame began whimpering and stuck her nose inside. Immediately Gordon asked her what was wrong, started petting and comforting her, and then realized he was back in the now and was only concerned about Flame. The suicidal thoughts were gone!

Flame helps Gordon break the cycle when stressful or suicidal thoughts try to overtake him. Even though Gordon has a loving wife, the companionship and unconditional love he shares with Flame is unlike any other.

Shannon would like to help even more veterans who suffer from PTSD. We owe our vets so much for keeping us safe.

Dogs also help people with alcohol and drug addictions. Colleen Anne Dell is a Professor and Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan in the Department of Sociology and School of Public Health. She is a Senior Research Associate with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Colleen works alongside several registered therapy dogs, in Federal prisons, emergency rooms, and addiction treatment centers; at university exam times; and with war veterans and people recovering from addictions. According to Colleen, “Never underestimate the power of acceptance.”

The results have been incredible. Raymond, who was addicted to drugs, has been in prison for years and is on Methadone. Three years after bonding with his therapy dog, he received his high school diploma, has been moved to a lower security facility, and still enjoys visits from his therapy dog.

 A woman in the addiction recovery program had to be restrained because she kept trying to escape. After meeting her therapy dog, she was able to venture out with the therapist and the dog without running away. She now lives in a treatment center and still has visits with her therapy dog.

Colleen encourages other programs like AA to investigate the use of emotional support dogs in their treatment.

Therapy dogs help people with panic attacks, seizures, and a host of other diseases and disorders. Kids who read to visiting support animals in school dramatically improve their reading skills.

Bird sanctuaries and zoos are places where people can see animals when they do not have a pet of their own. Seeing animals and being in nature can lift someone’s mood, help them feel better, and improve mental health.

Animals love us unconditionally, comfort us, and accept us just the way we are. And we get to return that love which feels oh so good!

Have you ever had a special relationship with an animal? I have!

Photo Credit: Pixabay