May is Mental Health Awareness Month – Let’s Talk About the Power of Pets 🐾💛
- Nicole Kohanski
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
At Wiggle Butt Academy, we know the bond between dogs and humans is nothing short of magical ✨. But it’s more than just companionship—it’s scientifically proven that pets can help improve our mental health in powerful ways. 🧠🐕
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, facing depression, or just trying to make it through a tough day, that tail-wagging, always-happy-to-see-you friend by your side might be doing more than you realize. 💕
1. Pets Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety 🧘♀️🐾
You know that warm feeling when your dog curls up next to you after a long day? That’s not just in your head. Interacting with pets—especially dogs—can actually lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase oxytocin, the "feel good" hormone. 💞
Just a few minutes of petting your pup can:
🩺 Lower blood pressure
❤️ Slow heart rate
💪 Ease muscle tension
😌 Promote calmness
2. They Bring Structure and Routine 🕒🐶
Dogs thrive on consistency—and they help us do the same. Getting up to feed your pup, going for daily walks 🚶♂️🐾, and sticking to training schedules all provide structure to your day.
This kind of routine can be especially helpful for people experiencing:
Depression
ADHD
Mood disorders
Even on hard days, our dogs remind us there’s still a world out there worth engaging with—and someone who’s counting on us. 🐾💛
3. Companionship Without Judgment 🐕🦺❤️
One of the most powerful aspects of having a dog is unconditional love. 🐾💕 Dogs don’t care what you look like, what mistakes you made at work, or how messy your house is. They’re just happy to be near you.
That kind of nonjudgmental companionship helps combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are major contributors to mental health challenges.
4. They Encourage Movement and Outdoor Time 🌳🐕
Let’s be honest—dogs are great personal trainers. 💪 Whether it’s a hike on the weekend 🏞️, a jog in the park 🏃♀️, or a quick stroll around the block 🚶, dogs need walks—and we benefit too.
Regular physical activity can:
😊 Boost mood
🧠 Reduce anxiety and depression
😴 Improve sleep
💃 Increase self-esteem
Even just stepping outside with your dog for 10 minutes can be a day-changer.
5. They Make Us Laugh (and Laughter is Therapy) 😂🐶
From goofy zoomies to awkward sploots to hilarious howls during TV commercials, dogs have a natural talent for making us laugh. And laughter triggers the release of endorphins—the body’s natural mood boosters. 🧠✨
6. They Teach Us Mindfulness and Presence 🧘🐾
Dogs live in the moment. 🐕 They’re not stressing about tomorrow or replaying yesterday’s mistakes—they’re here, now, chasing butterflies 🦋 or napping in the sun ☀️.
Spending time with a pet helps us tune into the present, slow our thoughts 🧘♂️, and find joy in the simple things.
From Our Family to Yours 💛🐾
Here at Wiggle Butt Academy, we don’t just train dogs—we celebrate the life-changing connection they bring into our lives. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor all the wagging tails, happy pounces, and soft snores that remind us we’re not alone. 🐶💤💕
If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, please know you’re not alone. 🤝 And if you’re lucky enough to have a dog by your side, give them a little extra scratch behind the ears today. 🥰 They might be doing more for your heart and mind than you ever realized.
🧠 Mental Health Support Resources
1. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)🌐 www.nami.orgOffers education, support groups, and a helpline: 📞 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text "HELPLINE" to 62640.
2. Mental Health America (MHA)🌐 www.mhanational.orgProvides free mental health screenings, toolkits, and wellness tips.
3. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline🌐 www.988lifeline.orgDial 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.
4. The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)🌐 www.thetrevorproject.org24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth: 📞 1-866-488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678.
🐾 Pet & Animal-Assisted Therapy Resources
5. Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)🌐 www.habri.orgResearch and education about the science of the human-animal bond.
6. Pet Partners (Therapy Animal Programs)🌐 www.petpartners.orgLearn how therapy animals are used in healthcare and wellness programs.
7. American Kennel Club – Dogs & Mental Health🌐 www.akc.orgArticles and insights about the emotional benefits of dog ownership.
8. Fear Free Pets🌐 www.fearfreepets.comHelpful resources for creating positive, stress-free experiences for pets—especially important for your mental health and theirs.
9. Local Pet Adoption & Therapy Dog Programs (DFW)➡️ Check out:
