Pets — The Unsung Heroes of Mental Health Awareness Month

Most of us don’t need a scientist to tell us that hanging out with dogs and cats makes us feel better. Those big brown eyes and the wagging tail that greet you at the door after a stressful day can immediately make you feel calmer. Or maybe, it us the companionship for your feline friend curling up in your lap during your latest Netflix binge. You know from experience, but research confirms that spending time with a pet can help reduce depression, anxiety and loneliness. There is a lot of interesting data and research being done about ways pets make our lives better, you can learn more by visiting the Human Animal Bond Research Institute

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, below are a few opportunities and ideas to help you connect with animals and get a little oxytocin boost!

Adopt a Pet!

If you’ve been thinking about adding a new furry family member to your life, maybe now is the time. Pet Alliance has a wide range of dogs and cats with different personalities to fit different lifestyles. Visit one of our shelters today and see if your new best friend is waiting for you. But, remember that by adopting a pet you are committing to many years of companionship and care. You may want to check out this article on things to think about when adopting a pet.

Have a Cuddle Break at Your Office 

Deadlines, meetings, customers, more meetings – work can be a bit stressful at times. Let Pet Alliance help you and your co-workers unwind with some in office pet therapy! For a few hours you can have some cuddly visitors on-site for staff to hang out with — and maybe even adopt. To learn more about the program, please email us.

Visit the Shelter or Cat Cafe

You might not be ready or able to adopt, but you know that you could use a little fluff ball time! Some people come by the shelter just to see the animals there, we have two free roam cat rooms that people can sit in to interact with our feline guests. We even have a programs where kids can read to the cats! You can also walk through our dog areas to see who we have with us. Most kennels also have treat bowls that you can use to give them a special snack and provide them with some enrichment. If you want to relax and enjoy a drink with some cats, try the Orlando Cat Cafe in Clermont.

Become a Volunteer

Maybe you aren’t ready to adopt a pet or just want to spend your free time with animals. Pet Alliance has many volunteer opportunities that include pet interaction time. Bark Buddies and Kitty Cuddlers help out in the shelters by providing love and enrichment to the pets and helping potential adopters meet their match. We also have foster volunteers that take pets into their home until they are ready for adoption. Lastly, we have fun volunteer opportunities like the Loaned Jogger program where you can take a shelter dog out for a run and Hound Around Town where you can take a shelter dog out on a day date at pet friendly places in the area. Learn about all of these and more on our website.

Always remember, if you or someone you know is in distress or crisis, or even just needs emotional support, you can talk to someone now by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)