Leading veterinary surgeon Dr Linda Simon, resident expert at Pooch & Mutt, explains how dogs can play a vital role in supporting both our physical and mental health.
Keeping Fit & Healthy
“Regular walks with your dog don’t just benefit them, they’re great for your own cardiovascular health too,” explains Dr Simon. “Adding hikes, runs or even playful games like fetch into your routine, ensures both you and your pooch are getting exercise and maintaining good mental health practices by getting outside in the fresh air.”
Reducing Stress & Anxiety
“Dogs have an incredible ability to soothe us,” says Dr Simon. “Petting or playing with your dog can raise levels of serotonin and dopamine, hormones that help us feel calm and content. It’s one of the many reasons our four-legged friends can make our days better.
It’s important for pet owners with stressed or anxious dogs to find the right support products or activities, to ensure both parties’ mental health is being looked after. The Pooch & Mutt Calming range includes products that are packed with gentle, soothing ingredients like Hemp, Chamomile, and L-Tryptophan that work together to help ease stress, promote relaxation, and support overall wellbeing”.
Combating Loneliness
Whether it’s a morning snuggle, or a comforting cuddle after a tough day, dogs are a constant source of companionship. “Their loyalty and affection can be life-changing for people who live alone or work from home,” Dr Simon adds.
Building Routine & Resilience
Dogs thrive on structure, with regular mealtimes, walks and care. “This structure doesn’t just benefit your dog, it encourages owners to maintain healthier, more balanced daily habits that support wellbeing.”
Celebrating Companionship on World Mental Health Day
Kerry Irwing, author and owner of Max Out In The Lake District, whose lockdown walks became an online sensation during the pandemic, talks about the power of dogs and the impact his have had on his mental health:
“In 2006, my life completely changed after a car accident left me in constant pain, unable to work, and trapped inside my own head. I sank into a dark place, and honestly, I didn’t want to be here anymore.
Back then, men didn’t talk about mental health, so I bottled everything up and shut the world out. Then I met Max, a springer spaniel who somehow saw through all of that. Walking him gave me a reason to step outside again. People didn’t look at me; they looked at him. They’d smile, they’d stop and chat, and through Max, I slowly found the confidence to reconnect with life. When I was at my lowest, he gave me a reason to get up, to walk, to keep going, and slowly, to start living again.
Dogs have a power we don’t talk about enough. They can reach people when words can’t. They give unconditional love, they don’t judge, and they just know when you need them. For me, Max, and those that came after him, my Paddy, Harry, Tally and Duggy, gave me a second chance at life. I was ready to leave this earth, but they showed me there’s always hope. That’s the magic of dogs” Irving concludes.
Kerry says himself that he was ready to leave this earth but then he met a dog, and now he can do anything with them by his side. Kerry and Max were watched by hundreds of thousands of people across the world when their treks were posted on Facebook, they have since raised over £1.1M for various charities.
