Dogs: Not Just Pets, But Your Spiritual Doctors

On December 4, 2012, a tragic school shooting occurred in Newtown, Connecticut. The attack claimed the lives of 20 children and 6 staff members. The psychological trauma caused to the surviving children was immense. Many lost their ability to communicate due to fear. In response, a specialized psychological service team entered the school, accompanied by 9 professionally trained Labrador dogs to help the children cope with the crisis. The children gathered on the floor, petting the dogs, gradually opening up about their fears and the sorrow of losing their friends. A young girl, who had refused to speak to her mother after the incident, started sharing her experiences after spending time with the dogs.

These Labrador dogs were more than just pets—they were professional "Comfort Dogs." In English, the term "Therapy Animals" refers to animals used for therapeutic purposes, such as providing emotional support and comfort.

The Therapeutic Role of Animals in Human Lives

Research and practical experience have shown that animals possess remarkable healing abilities. On one hand, they serve as beloved companions, and on the other, they play a crucial role in improving both our mental and physical health.

Today, let’s explore how animals serve as both pets and healers, with a focus on dogs as an example.

Pets: Providing Love and Companionship

Many people are familiar with the movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale. The sight of Hachiko, the loyal Akita, waiting at the train station for his deceased owner in the midst of a snowstorm left many viewers in tears. Pets have a unique way of occupying a soft spot in our hearts.

As children, many of us had a pet—a dog, cat, parrot, or even a turtle. After school, we would rush home to play with our animal companions, treating them like family members.

Why do we love these animals so much?

Pets provide us with pure, unconditional love and companionship. They never betray us.

Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, once said that to achieve true happiness, one needs at least five key elements: experiencing positive emotions, being deeply engaged, having good relationships, understanding one's purpose in life, and achieving meaningful accomplishments.

Among these, relationships play a crucial role in happiness. However, human relationships are often complex, filled with love, conflict, and even hatred. We sometimes use harsh words to attack those closest to us.

In contrast, the relationship we have with our pets is pure and simple. When you're feeling down or have had a fight with your parents, a hug from your dog or cat can bring comfort. You don’t have to explain yourself, and they won’t judge you or argue with you.

As psychologist Teri Wright puts it, "Your pet gives you love unconditionally. They are always there, and you don’t need to worry about hurting their feelings (except for deliberate abuse), and they won’t give you annoying advice. That’s something humans might do."

Humans can be self-centered. In many situations, we feel obligated to respond or give advice to the person speaking to us. But sometimes, the person just wants a chance to express themselves. I remember as a child, when I was feeling inexplicably upset, my parents would say, "What's wrong with you? Why are you overthinking so much? Just focus on your studies."

But my pet dog never said that. Studies show that long-term companions, like animals, develop high sensitivity. When you're sad, they can sense your emotions and quietly stay by your side, even licking your face to help you process your feelings.

From an evolutionary psychology perspective, humans have coexisted with animals for thousands of years. Dogs, for example, evolved from wolves. As they interacted with humans, they realized that human settlements were a source of food. Over time, they became domesticated, evolving from wild beasts into loyal companions, accompanying humans on hunts and forming lasting bonds.

Animals as Healers: More Than Just Companions

As mentioned in the opening story, animals offer more than companionship—they have remarkable healing powers. Whether it’s a guide dog assisting a person with disabilities or a police dog helping solve a case, animals fulfill a variety of functional roles.

In Western societies, animals are widely used in medical and therapeutic settings. Among the most common are therapy, comfort, and service dogs. These animals are trained to provide emotional support and therapeutic benefits to individuals in need.

Elaine Smith, a nurse, is credited with being the first to systematically use dogs in therapy. In the 1970s, she noticed that patients’ physical and mental health improved when they interacted with dogs. In 1976, she founded a program to train dogs to visit various institutions, providing therapeutic support to those in need.

So, what can therapy dogs do? They are often used to bring comfort and relaxation to people living in specific environments, such as hospitals or shelters. Their presence helps improve patients' physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

In some cases, the benefits are measurable. For example, one patient with high blood pressure, who could not undergo chemotherapy, improved after spending time with a therapy dog. When tested again, their blood pressure had lowered enough to proceed with treatment.

Therapy dogs are known for their gentle nature, friendliness, and patience. They thrive in human companionship and provide unconditional acceptance wherever they are, whether in hospitals or disaster zones.

The Unlikely Healing Power of Injured Animals

Interestingly, even injured animals can aid in human healing. A New York Times article once featured a story about Lilly Love, who worked for the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska. After witnessing the deaths of six colleagues in a plane crash, Lilly developed severe PTSD. Years of emotional turmoil, alcohol abuse, and failed marriages followed.

In 2006, Lilly found herself caring for a group of parrots that had been abused or abandoned. Over time, interacting with these injured animals helped alleviate her PTSD. The simple, pure relationship between Lilly and the parrots became a source of strength, and the healing process continued for years.

The Power of Simple, Pure Relationships

As psychologist Debbie Custance explains, the relationship between humans and animals is simple and pure, which is precisely what makes it so powerful. “When a person expresses affection for you, it often involves expectations or hopes,” she says. “But with animals, there’s no need to consider consequences. The relationship is without complexity or hidden motives. When you're going through a difficult time, this simplicity becomes a treasure.”