During national pet month I would like to share my story of how my two lovely boys have helped me through my recovery. My two boys Oakley (the puggle) and Ted (a Romanian mongrel) are both rescues and have such great personalities. I don’t have favourites but Ted has probably helped me the most.

I used to have insomnia and nights were the hardest, so Ted would curl up next me and make sure to check on me through the night. When I used to have really bad panic attacks he would jump onto me and press his whole weight down on me (like deep pressure therapy) which is something we didn’t train him to do. He has so much love to give, loves cuddles and leaning into me, he also likes to be picked up and cradled like a baby which always makes me laugh. He’s always been there on my worst days to cheer me up with a cuddle or making me laugh by sleeping in the oddest positions. An added bonus is he doesn’t bark, which for someone that can sometimes be sound sensitive, definitely helps.

Oakley is also loving and kind, I’ve had him since he was a puppy and he’s 10 now. He loves cuddles and blankets, if I’m wearing something fluffy he will be desperate to cuddle me. He sometimes herds me into the living room for a snuggle. When I haven’t been okay, Oakley has also always been there, especially if there’s tears. For some reason he finds tears tasty so his ā€œkissesā€ will always be there when I’m crying which in fairness does make me stop! When illness flares up he likes to sit with me in the bathroom as I get really sick with migraines and even though he barks, a lot he’s still a good boy!

I adore them to pieces and I hope they adore me back, they help me with getting up in the morning because they will persist at breakfast and dinner time, if I haven’t moved for a while they will get me up, even just to refill their water. Walks with them can be peaceful and it gets me out of the house and into the fresh air. Life with them is worth it and I thank them everyday for the support they provide me. Theyā€™ve improved my insomnia, anxiety, depression, motivation and so much more. Everyone deserves an animal they can love that will love back just as much as these boys do.

Written by Phoenix Atherton, wellbeing peer practitioner

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