How could I not respond to this knowing the way I feel about animals and how they can improve the quality of life for an individual?
You can check out Beckie’s original post
August 14, 2019 “Working on Us” This Weeks Mental Health Prompts for Blogging Community: Week 11 Topic: Therapy/Emotional Support Animals (Pets)
here
Prompt #1 Questions:
- Do you own a pet for emotional support and/or service/therapy?
No, but my family has always had a pet or two of some description.
- Is your pet a certified therapy animal?
No.
- What kind of pet do you own?
We have a fourteen and a half year old border collie x springer spaniel, aka Sprollie.
- Do you believe that support animals truly assist those in need?
Most definitely. I have known of Leonbergers, spaniels, collies, pomeranians and jack russell dogs being trained as assistance dogs or therapy dogs, the latter being taken into residential homes and fussed over. Size doesn’t seem to matter, it’s all down to temperament and training, and I think it’s wonderful.
- Do you believe that any animal can be a therapy/support pet?
Yes, I think it is indeed possible.
With training such a pet can be matched to circumstances, housing and the individual.
Prompt #2 Narrative:
Describe how your pet is of support to you? EXAMPLE: Helps with anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc… (And, please… Share their name and a photo) if you desire.
Maggie must be one of the most photographed and ruined dogs in the UK as we love her to bits.
This was her first night in her new home: March 11th 2005.
This was taken the following year in our back garden
When I was working, my job was all figurework (which I loved) and strict deadlines.
Sometimes, I would come home totally exhausted with a thumping headache, and after our evening meal, Maggie would get up on my lap, well half on my lap and half of the arm of the chair, for a cuddle. As I stroked her silky fur, I could feel all the stresses of the day just roll away. After about ten minutes, she’d get down and get in her own bed, job done.
She seems to know when either of us need to feel her presence and is one of the most tactile and loving dogs I have ever known. When I have been depressed or generally just feeling down, she has been there to take my mind off my problems.
There have been times when I have needed to be on my own and to watch her sniffing the flowers or grass, finding the exact blade of grass to pee on (it has to be just so!) makes me smile and relax.
Pictures June 2015
She is a great ice breaker for conversation, usually gets on with other dogs, and has never chased the ducks or the geese on the marina or in the park. They realise she’s not a threat too and come within a foot of us, even with their babies.
This post has been a bit of the Maggie show, but she is just so much a part of our lives, she’s our baby. We hate to see her feeling unsure or afraid, as with thunder or fireworks, unwell and uncomfortable and try very hard to read the signs and what she’s telling us.
I sleep better at night knowing she’s lying there beside me, her gentle rhythmic breathing providing its own lullaby.
I love when you post pictures of Maggie! She is so photogenic and adorable!!! 😍
I most certainly agree with most animals being able to be trained as a support/emotional pet, but there are just some animals I just quite don’t see fitting into that category. I could be wrong, but I can’t see myself cuddling with a snake or lizard. LOL! Personally speaking, I do adore the furry & feathered friends. Heck, I can see goats, lambs, horses, cows, and little pigs helping someone cope with anxiety and depression much better than a snake.
Thanks again for sharing all the lovely pictures and your story about Maggie! 🐶💚
You’re welcome. I agree about lizards and snakes (no fear for me of either actually) and giant spiders too (now they do make me squirm), but cats, dogs, birds, maybe even gerbils or mice, all can be therapeutic to someone in some instances.
Have you ever seen Ashley’s guinea pigs? OMG! I love those litttle guys!
No……… I don’t follow her so do you have a link? I’ll nip over!
https://beckiesmentalmess.wordpress.com/2019/08/14/reblog-ashley-of-mental-health-home-week-11-of-working-on-us-topic-emotional-support-therapy-animals-pets/
Thanks Beckie. just read it after your reblog (finally got to the end of my reader today!) They are awesomely cute, or should we say cutishly awesome!
LOL! I wish I could say I’m at the end of my reader. But, I have a feeling this will continue into tomorrow if I don;t stop soon. LOL!
I’m beat tired.
Besides, it’s almost time for “Mommy, mommy to rub the head” That is what Peanuts requesting now. 😍
Ha! Boating friends had a parrot called Woodrow who would tell them hen it was time for bed. If they didn’t go, he stood in front of the TV and yelled BED BED BED at them!
Peanut does the same thing. “time to go Nite, nite, Mommy… Nite, nite time.” He doesn’t yell it, he says it like a polite little boy asking to be tucked in for the evening.
Woodrow is polite to start but if he’s ignored, then he gets more vocal!
Yeah, there is nothing worse than a ticked off parrot. Peanut and I have had disagreements in the past… That’s when I take back control and he gets a time out. LOL!
haha. Now that’s funny!
Oh, Yeah… It’s a riot being told to “Shut up” by my adorable little birdy. I’ll spare the other words he says. LOL!
Reblogged this on Beckie's Mental Mess and commented:
REBLOG: Di of “Pensitivity101” Shares her story about her lovely dog “Maggie” in this Week #11 of “Working on Us” – Maggie is not afraid of the paparazzi one bit. LOL! 💚
Your love for her is enviable. Lovely post.
awww, thanks. She’s our baby
I know 🥰😍♥️
She is absolutely beautiful! We feel much the same about our Maryjane, though she doesn’t travel… she’s always waiting for us at home. More and more, we don’t travel so she won’t be alone and worried about us. She does, I’m certain of it..
Maggie comes everywhere with us and doesn’t like us to separate. Her herding instinct kicks in and she tries to round us up!
Sounds like an Aussie Shep that used to belong to one of my Foster Families. I loved that old Mugsie dog! We were constant companions. Really wish I lived in a place where I could get another Aussie Shep. Alas, where I live they have 25 lb limit as well as so many breed restricts that virtually the only dogs you can get are a chihuahua or a yorkie. Grrr…. one of the many reasons we want to move…
Maggie weighs in at 14 and a half kilos, so around 32lb
Just the most beautiful soul. She is so lovely.
Getting on now, so we are aware of the stiff joints, failing eyesight and hard of hearing. Nothing wrong with her sniffer though.
Loved all those pics of Maggie. Keep posting more, Di! Maggie deserves all that spoiling. Dogs are the best. Spending even a little while with them can relieve all our worries and tensions!
Oh I know. She is terrific. My neighbour gave me a plaque that says ‘ I don’t need therapy, I;ve got a dog’ Says it all really!
So very true.