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Unlike cats, whom we love in spite of the fact that (or because?) they don’t seem to need us, dogs let us know how important we are to them.
In the best of times, and in the darkest times, it makes us feel better to know that we’re loved, understood, and that we matter to someone.
Enter the dog.
Our canine friends are natural-born therapists. Nobody else can touch them on this score.
Here are 10 reasons why dogs make the best therapists:
1. They’re okay with your tears. In fact, many dogs will lick them right off your face. Good luck finding a licensed professional who offers that level of service.
2. Instead of putting you on the couch, they get you off it. Whenever you’re feeling low, they’ll gladly take you for a brisk walk around the neighborhood, offering you a bit of exercise and a much-needed change of scenery.
3. You won’t feel rejected if they yawn while you’re talking to them. Judgment is not in their nature. They’re just sleepy because they love the sound of your voice.
4. They have fur. I know: Cats have fur, too. So do hamsters, bears and kangaroos, but how many of THEM will let you play with their ears and blow raspberries into their furry tummies for hours without getting testy?
5. They make house calls. Unlike the majority of therapists who insist that you come to them, and only during office hours, dogs will come to you whenever you need them. (Mostly. Especially if you have a ball or a treat.)
6. They don’t have an agenda. No dog has ever asked a challenging question while you’re in the middle of a tailspin. “What might you have done differently in that situation?” is not something that concerns Fido. All he wants is to be with you in your hour of need.
7. They're authentic. They show you what it’s like to be 100 percent yourself, 100 percent of the time. They don’t stress about what other people might or might not be thinking about them. They let it all hang out and encourage you to do the same.
8. They’re comfortable with silence. They never interrupt, never say the wrong thing, and any sounds they make can be interpreted in ways that are favorable to you.
9. They expose their bellies. A good therapist will do the same—metaphorically, by admitting some of their human imperfections—but most won't allow you to rub their actual bellies. And you probably wouldn’t want to, anyway! (See #4 above.)
10. They won’t bill insurance for your sessions, but that’s because dog therapy is FREE. All it costs is a little bit of love. And maybe a ball or a treat.
Try to find a human therapist with a ball-or-treat fee schedule … Two words: Doesn’t exist.
If you’re feeling blue and you don’t have a dog of your own, ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow theirs. Spending time with a dog can be some of the best therapy you’ve ever had.
