Canines for a Cure: How Man’s Best Friend Can Help Defeat
Depression Man’s best friend may be more important to your
mental health than you might think. According to Ian Cook, MD, a
psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic
Program at UCLA, "Pets offer an unconditional love that can be
very helpful to people with depression.” Simply petting a dog or
being in their presence has been shown to reduce tension and
hypertension in some individuals. Dogs have the ability to show
unconditional love for their caregivers, which is a quality that
is very conducive to help a depressed person feel more accepted
and appreciated. This is very helpful for depression victims who
have complicated families or relationships, for a canine
relationship is incredibly simple and mainly positive. Having a
dog also promotes being more active, for an active dog is a
healthy and happy dog. Dog owners typically get more exercise,
as they have to make sure their furry friends are getting enough
exercise as well. Exer