Pets have enhanced my life in many, many, many, many, many ways.
Here guest blogger Kalia, from Washington state, writes of the many gifts that come of caring for furry friends…

Hi there! My name is Kalia. I am the founder of frontseatryder.com. Front Seat Ryder is a blog designed to inspire, encourage and empower the modern dog mom to improve her mental health with the help of her doggy companion.
I am super excited to share with Happiness Between Tails — Thank you so much for having me! Today, I’m going to talk a little bit about the benefits pets have on our mental health.
When adopting a pet into your home, you probably aren’t thinking about your mental health. Are you?! I want to talk to you about some of the great benefits pets have on our mental health. These will give you another reason to love your fur babies – as if you needed one.
A pet can benefit you in a variety of ways including:
- Mentally
- Emotionally
- Physically
- Socially
While these are all important ways a pet can benefit you, improving mental health is high on the list. My dog Ryder is actually my Emotional Support Animal. He helps me cope with my depression and anxiety.
Pets fill the void of feeling isolated. Feeling of isolation and loneliness can lead to many different mental health issues. Some of which include forms of panic, anxiety attacks, and depression. Those feelings are soothed with the company of a pet.
Having a pet gives you a feeling of true purpose. A feeling that there is someone who needs caring for and tended to. Having a purpose in life gives someone suffering from depression hope. This can make all the difference in someone’s life.
How does your pet make your life better?
[…] Guest Blog Post: “The Benefits of Pets on Our Mental Health,” in Kalia’s exact&nbs… — Read on happinessbetweentails.com/2018/02/13/here-guest-blogger-kalia-from-washington-state-informs-us-of-the-many-benefits-of-caring-for-furry-friends/ […]
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good guest blog post and what you suggest is so true.
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Love this! My dog inspires me so much that he started his own blog. 🙂
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In the middle of the night, my cat climbs up to my neck, nuzzles his head there and purrs his little heart out. I’m reminded I’m loved, even at 3 a.m.
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My dog, before he sadly had to be put down about 5 years ago now (but I still miss him all this time later), would have such a calming influence, I would feel like everything would be alright when he was there. Now, when our cat decides to grace me with his presence and sit on my lap, there’s a similar feeling of calm and love and a reminder that there’s joy in the simplest of things. I would love to be in a position to have another dog one day (a golden retriever, whom I’ve already named “Finn” – I’ve thought about this too much!) as you’re totally right Kalia, there are so many benefits. Just as we care for them, they can care for us in countless ways. x
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When an animal looks into your eyes with that unconditional love and, if feline, leans against your leg letting its tail caress your knee… or a dog nuzzles a wet nose against your hand because it wants you to take it out, or a horse whickers softly as you approach, it can take you straight out of a down moment and into a happy place 🤗
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So lovely, Viola
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I completely agree with Kalia’s points. Pets are wonderful assets to our lives in a multitude of ways. And Ryder is one handsome dude – er, dog.
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