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Animals and mental health
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There is a new campaign for people with mental health to get a pet.
Its good for their wellbeing and gives them something to occupy them.
I know a lot of people on here are open about their mental health, do you have a pet? Has it helped you? Would you think about getting a pet.
I have four cats and they really are my saving grace. I'm not in a position where I could care for a dog though.
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Did me no difference when I was really low, apparently you were lucky to get me out of bed or to eat or drink let alone look after another living creature.
I was that shut off, I have virtually no memory of it if I'm honest.
When our rabbits had babies and we were looking for new homes for them, we were actually contacted by a mental health centre that were looking for new pets. When we went to visit the woman who showed us around said they do like to keep pets as it's a nice distraction for some of the patients so it is professionally understood by some...
- Amy. x |
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By *ricerMan
over a year ago
Stockton-on-Tees |
I've found a cat or dog knows when you are feeling low, and comes to you for a cuddle!!
Speaking of pets, my daughter has given up on her guinea pigs - anyone want two male guinea pigs? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've found a cat or dog knows when you are feeling low, and comes to you for a cuddle!!
Speaking of pets, my daughter has given up on her guinea pigs - anyone want two male guinea pigs? "
Cats DEFINITELY know when you're on LSD.
According to an, er, mate of mine.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I don't have a mental health problem, or at least I've not ever been diagnosed with one, but when I did a bit of work with horses my mood was definitely changed  |
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By *issmorganWoman
over a year ago
Calderdale innit |
"There is a new campaign for people with mental health to get a pet.
Its good for their wellbeing and gives them something to occupy them.
I know a lot of people on here are open about their mental health, do you have a pet? Has it helped you? Would you think about getting a pet.
I have four cats and they really are my saving grace. I'm not in a position where I could care for a dog though.
"
I love having my 2 cats and im sure they sense when i'm having a bad day etc as they are more affectionate. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Totally agree... I was struggling a few years back and it was down to my dogs unwavering love ( sounds daft) that I felt able to get my shit together...
Id love a dog ??.. He wont let me, so I've set up a dog walking/ sitting service instead. |
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By *issmorganWoman
over a year ago
Calderdale innit |
"Totally agree... I was struggling a few years back and it was down to my dogs unwavering love ( sounds daft) that I felt able to get my shit together...
Id love a dog ??.. He wont let me, so I've set up a dog walking/ sitting service instead. "
Aww that sounds brill,hope its going well  |
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i used to love caring for a friends dogs until one of them attacked me and i ended up in hospital requiring plastic surgery ...ohh well ...you win some you lose some ...enjoyed the good times though and would never regret them  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Depends on what's wrong with them, or if they are capable.
I've seen people with mental health problems who aren't capable of looking after a pet. I personally know a couple of people who have killed a pet when they had a breakdown, and seen a neighbour abuse her dog but i'm not sure that was actually down to mental health problems (which she does have) i think it's more down to her also being too stupid to train her pet and then taking that out on the dog. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I should imagine there is something to this when I have had a rubbish day and come through the door the site of my bulldog wagging his tail and hopping about cheers me up instantly. He just gives unconditional love. As long as I feed the tubby little git!
The OH is the same with her horses. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Totally agree... I was struggling a few years back and it was down to my dogs unwavering love ( sounds daft) that I felt able to get my shit together...
Id love a dog ??.. He wont let me, so I've set up a dog walking/ sitting service instead.
Aww that sounds brill,hope its going well "
Just starting up to be honest but its quiet, suits me as I'm kinda winding down a bit atm |
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By *bi HaiveMan
over a year ago
Forum Mod Cheeseville, Somerset |
My dog helps me de-stress a lot. She's daft, affectionate and loves human company be that children or old folk.
My dad has altzheimers and loves it when she visits - and has his own new Canary that he's happy to sit and chat to.
So Yep - pets are a great therapeutic benefit to many. When I lose my marbles I intend to be the neighbourhood 'crazy cat/dog lady' - but I'm not wearing a dress!
A |
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I don't have a pet atm, as my rescue cat died a couple of years ago - I was heartbroken. She was such a lovely individual to have shared part of my life with and am certain she helped me to relax, feel better at odd times, when tired/strained. 2 neighbours have me caring for their cats, when they're away, which is frequently - one, the tom next day, pops in every day, so I get some of the benefits of a pet, albeit not all of the time. |
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By *he tactile technicianMan
over a year ago
the good lands, the bad lands, the any where you may want me lands |
"There is a new campaign for people with mental health to get a pet.
Its good for their wellbeing and gives them something to occupy them.
I know a lot of people on here are open about their mental health, do you have a pet? Has it helped you? Would you think about getting a pet.
I have four cats and they really are my saving grace. I'm not in a position where I could care for a dog though.
"
Marshall loves you Karen, and he's quite possibly my saving grace as well....well he steers me around lamposts, unlike Minxie |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Love our dachshund ! He's amazing and always glad to see me no matter what.
If I locked the dog and the Mrs in the garage for six hours I know who'd be happier to see me when I let them out  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I agree pets can be very therapeutic. Over the last few months my GSD pup has been my everything, god knows where I would be without him. He knows exactly, how I feel and responds, he clings to me, when I feel low. And he gives me reason, to get up everyday as he still needs feeding and walking.
And despite being the size of a small horse I love feeling him cwtching up at bedtime, he makes me feel safe and secure.
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By *umpkinMan
over a year ago
near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack! |
A friend`s GSD gets all upset if my friend cries! Trouble is, she doesn`t know the difference between crying and crying with laughter so gets upset when my friend is laughing too!
Try reading "A Street Cat Named Bob" and then see if pets are therapeutic! |
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I have to say that I have in the past been very dismissive of the link until a friend I know posted a very personal statement on facebook after she got a new puppy. She explained how she found it hard to get up and out before she had him, had no motivation to do anything etc but having the puppy gave her something to focus on.
Prior to this I'd been mocking my mum for the way she dotes on her dog (i still have a go at her about ot from time to time as the dog is not well trained!) however it made me realise why. All her babies had flown the nest and she was alone for the first time in 30 years. She was becoming a hermit and would rarely go out, she knew no one on her estate. Now she knows all the dog owners oN her route and is very much brighter in herself.
So for some,yes they can greatly improve your mental health and general happiness |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I have to say that I have in the past been very dismissive of the link until a friend I know posted a very personal statement on facebook after she got a new puppy. She explained how she found it hard to get up and out before she had him, had no motivation to do anything etc but having the puppy gave her something to focus on.
Prior to this I'd been mocking my mum for the way she dotes on her dog (i still have a go at her about ot from time to time as the dog is not well trained!) however it made me realise why. All her babies had flown the nest and she was alone for the first time in 30 years. She was becoming a hermit and would rarely go out, she knew no one on her estate. Now she knows all the dog owners oN her route and is very much brighter in herself.
So for some,yes they can greatly improve your mental health and general happiness "
This is the reason we got our pup. Both my boys have left home and I need someone to mother... He came at the right time, perfect distraction. Then life turned even crapper and that was that. My dog is my world
Spoilt fat shit of a dog |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Even my cats know when I'm upset and will come to sit with me (they'd normally just piss off to sleep on a bed somewhere).
My mother in law had a really difficult time when her own mother died, and getting a dog really helped her I think - giving her something that needed her to get up and function every day and get out of the house did wonders. |
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"Just to add, i've also seen not mentally ill people who aren't capable of looking after a pet as well."
I was so ill I wasn't capable of caring for myself
Any animal would have starved
That's why my cat Wales lives at my ex mum in laws |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Just to add, i've also seen not mentally ill people who aren't capable of looking after a pet as well.
I was so ill I wasn't capable of caring for myself
Any animal would have starved
That's why my cat Wales lives at my ex mum in laws "
Glad you're ok now though.
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My dogs are my life. They look after me and are more supportive than any human. They put up with me when I am very ill and stand by me whatever. They've been there through some of my darkest moments |
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