How Pets Help Family Members with Mental Illness

Pets are important and beneficial in general, but they can play a special role in the lives of those with mental illness. I never owned any pets as a child, but I adopted a dog as an adult, and my brother has become an honorary pet parent as a result. I am amazed to watch how his relationship with my dog helps him cope with chronic anxiety and depression. Here is a short reflection on the benefits of pets for family members with mental illness.

2 Ways Pets Help Family Members with Mental Illness

Pets Have Low Relational Demands

Relationships with other people can be tricky—there are many unwritten rules and unspoken demands in a human relationship. If you deal with anxiety, you might overthink interactions with friends or family members. Pets, however, generally treat you with the same level of affection regardless of how you present on a given day. Even if you neglect basic hygiene and self-care (as can often be the case with acute mental illness), a pet still wants to cuddle next to you. When you're so overwhelmed that all you can do is cry, a pet doesn't ask difficult questions or even seem alarmed.

In my work as an occupational therapist, I talk a lot about the concept of unconditional positive regard, and pets are perfect examples of this. Come as you are, and they just love you without hidden terms or conditions. Having that kind of relationship in your life (even if it's with an animal) boosts your self-esteem and mood state, which is one of the reasons why pets and family members with mental illness can be such a wonderful pairing.

Pets Create Routine

This might seem counterintuitive, but when my brother is experiencing a difficult mental health period, I often call in a favor and ask him to watch the dog for a few days. I do this because I know that pets create a sense of routine and structure without even thinking about it.

If my brother wants to sleep all day, it's not an option when he cares for a dog that needs to be taken outside at a reasonable hour of the morning. The dog also needs to be walked, so my brother must get dressed and leave the house for exercise at least once a day. The dog needs regular meal times, which reminds my brother to grab food for himself at those times as well. As an animal lover, my brother will not neglect this little creature's needs, and meeting them forces him to meet some of his own needs at the same time.

I understand that my perspective is limited, as young dogs are definitely on the needier end of the spectrum, but I am interested to hear about the experiences of other pet owners. Does caring for a pet impact the mental health of those in your family? Leave a comment, and let's talk.