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Amidst economic strife, high unemployment rates, tenuous future security, and struggles with self-esteem, it is little surprise that depression is a chronic reality for many. One of the most effective ways to help combat this condition is by taking advantage of the human-animal bond.

Read on ... Animals Help Relieve Depression




This article is dedicated to the brilliant life of Robin Williams.

Thanks for the insightful article. My cranky old Pekingese was what saved me from loneliness for years. He helped me grow up.

I hadn't realized the tremendous amount of support my cat provided until she died. She was there for me during some horrific events. She lived with me for 22 years. Upon her passing, I started my foster-care and community outreach programs, on which I continue to build.

I know that our birds and cat enrich our lives in so many ways. My cat jumps up on my leg and lays there until I go to sleep. Then, she retires to her sherpa-lined basket. She just loves to sleep on that velvety sherpa!

Our birds liven the house up with their songs and antics. When they are out for their daily flight time, they are a real handful! They are just into everything! We love watching their adventures.

Our cat enjoys watching the outside birds feed on our deck. Our backyard is maintained for the animals outside.

We don't use herbicides or pesticides. This helps us maintain record numbers of fireflies and toads.We have a backyard pond that local animals use to get drinks. There are several places for birds to shelter during cold and hot weather. We provide food plants and bird seed for the animals who use our yard.

Hi Deb and everyone,

Thanks for the article, really interesting and succinct.

I used to do lifeline counselling and remember several times where people seeking help admitted that it was their dog or their cat that kept them going through some very dark days ... and the reason was the fact that regardless of what was happening, on an almost subconscious level, they knew they could not let the pet down; they had to 'get up' clean up, feed, water and get outside for walkies.

I live with my dog Peppa and just to see that face all the time is a gift. He is 16 now, nearly deaf and blind so I have to accept there is a future I will have to face.

I, like most people, know I would be poorer by far without him.

Cheers now

Lestie, it is so hard to lose a beloved companion animal. When I was younger, I had a dog that I lived for. I knew that nobody else would want or love Pugsley. He was a pugnacious little Pekingese with a bad attitude toward people. He bit at any provocation. But I loved that little rascal.

I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. I love them so much. They listen when I talk to them. I love their personalities -- very different from each other. They really help me when I'm depressed. It's very hard to be down around them. They keep me laughing with their antics.

We have a plentitude of cats and a biter brigade flock of birds. They keep us hopping, and it is never dull at our house!

My Sissie woman's cat is feeling better. Her fur is lustrous and shines like fire in the sun. She is a cat of undetermined age, since we don't know how old she was when she joined out family almost 12 years ago. She had to be at least two, but she could have been as old as five. So, she's between 14 and 17-years-old. Sissie is a wonderful cat, and I tremble at the thought of her not being here to share our journey.