Open Your Heart

2/10/2025

I am known to be an animal lover. I have had cats and dogs and fish and small animals. I loved them all! I currently have two cats and two dogs. In fact I recently just adopted my second cat. She is a nine month old named Sky.

One thing I have learned from my time taking care of my animals is how much they help with my mental health. For those with physical disabilities, service animals are an option. For those with mental disabilities, emotional support animals are an option. For me, I simply get pets. Just having them and taking care of them helps to lower my feelings of loneliness, reduce my stress, and increase my independence. They give me something to be responsible for and a reason to get up everyday. These things may seem trivial to most, but for someone plagued with mental illness after mental illness, they are reasons to say, this animal is a life saver.

Just open your heart to an animal and see if it helps you with your own invisible illness. It’s a lot to take on, especially if they are younger. But it makes a huge difference in your health as well. I know I love coming home to see they are barking in the windows just to see me come back. As soon as I come in they give me a loud meow and rub up against my legs. Pets are not just to cuddle with something cute or make a child happy. They are a learning experience. A companion. A living, breathing, medicine for those of us that have invisible disorders.

So, if you are an animal lover like myself, open your heart to an animal. Apply for a service dog. Adopt a cat and apply for them to become an emotional support animal. Get a pet just to reduce stress. Foster a kitten. Volunteer at a local animal shelter. Being around an animal may be just what you need to feel a little better each day.