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As someone who has suffered from depression, I cannot express the value our dog Rollie has brought to my life. The happiness, the companionship, the responsibility, the activity, the touch, and the laughter.

While many of us have heard about the studies proving dogs reduce stress, tension, and depression - I'm here to convince you to take the next step. To jumpstart the mental process of actually picking up a pouch and taking a step toward a depression free life.

Being married to a dog groomer these past 4 years, she's taught me an abundance on our furry friends. Anything from breed characteristics and temperament to maintenance and health risks.

The key to choosing a dog to help overcome depression is quite different than choosing one for general needs. You'll want to find a breed which is playful yet not overly energetic, loving and not independent, low maintenance, and somewhat portable.

Here is what my wife and I put together:

Top 7 Dog Breeds for People Fighting Depression

Some know me as a serial entrepreneur and Founder of Sevenly.org, others know me as the guy who can ride a unicycle and still kickflip on a skateboard. I'm on a mission to inspire people. Will you join me? (Dale was the original founder of TheDailyPositive.com, he has now moved onto new ventures. Click here to learn more about StartupCamp.).

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Top 7 Dog Breeds for People Fighting Depression

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As someone who has suffered from depression, I cannot express the value our dog Rollie has brought to my life. The happiness, the companionship, the responsibility, the activity, the touch, and the laughter. While many of us have heard about the studies proving dogs reduce stress, tension, and depression - I'm here to convince you ...

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Dog quotes. Quotes about dogs. Sleeping next to your dog makes you fall asleep faster, reduces depression, and makes you live longer. Sleeping next to your dog can benefit in so many ways.

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Today's guest post is brought to you by Christina of Comehereboy.com. Christina has been training dogs for over a decade and developed her website to teach others to train their dogs to manage anxiety - Paul Dooley
Anxiety had taken my life from me. My brain no longer seemed to do what I wanted it to, despite force of will and healthy habits. I was left sobbing on my bed feeling alone (despite having my husband wrapped around me) some nights or having to sit in the foyer of the church because I suddenly felt
like going into a class was too overwhelming for me.

I already had been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety now seemed to be the cherry on top. Would I ever be me again? I saw a psychiatrist. Medication he prescribed helped some, but it never got rid of my problems entirely. No - the real cure for me was a stray German Shepherd named Bronco. Bronco has saved my life and given it back to me.

Those of us who own dogs know that their unconditional love and intuition is innately healing. When you have a mental illness that significantly affects your life each day, a dog can be a literal lifesaver. Your dog can actually be prescribed to be by your side by a psychiatrist - a side-effect free "drug" known as an emotional support dog (ESD) or a service dog (SD).

You may know some things about a service dog. A professionally raised and trained service dog is extremely expensive and it can take years on a waiting list to get one. What many people don't know and what I've made it my goal to teach them, is that a service dog does not need a special certificate or breeding. You can have your own service dog, specially prescribed by your doctor and trained by you to help you function in public.

With that in mind, I decided to write a list of the most important reasons to consider
a service dog to help manage your anxiety:

1. They can recognize signs of a panic attack before you do

Dogs have incredibly acute senses, more so than we give them credit for. Your dog notices when you begin to breathe more quickly or heavily. He notices when you begin biting your nails or pacing. He can even detect a change in your scent or heart rate as you begin to feel stressed. So before you even start to realize that you're becoming panicked, a service dog that has been trained well will let you know it's time for an intervention.

2. They won't take no for an answer

A service dog will not hesitate to bother you until you take action when a panic attack is on the horizon. Well-trained service dogs will nudge you, whine or bark or stop moving until you let them help you, so you'd better listen and not wait until it's more convenient (which could mean it's too late).

3. They aren't afraid to tell you when something is wrong

A friend might be worried about making you sit down in the middle of an aisle in a grocery store and giving you a hug, but your service dog will always prioritize your well-being over anything else. Your service dog will bother you until you take care of yourself, and this will keep panic attacks from getting too bad to handle.

4. Their presence is automatically relaxing

Dogs, even non-service dogs, provide a calming effect just by being nearby. Having a service dog by your side drops your heart rate and blood pressure. Even people with agoraphobia often find that a dog helps them get out much further than they have before - just because of the relaxing presence that a dog has.

5. Focus is shifted from you to your dog

One nice thing about being out in public with a service dog is that you don't have to worry that people are focusing on you. All that they are interested in is your dog. So all eyes are on the dog and you don't have to feel as worried about people staring at you.

6. They bring more opportunities for easy conversation

This one may seem like a drawback, but realize that the people will be focused on your dog instead of you. When you are talking about your dog (an easy subject) and people aren't usually looking at you, it's a good way to ease into social interaction. Your service dog makes a great go-between.

7. They can remind you to take medication

If you're anything like me, the alarm for your medication goes off several times a day. You turn off the alarm, get distracted, and the next thing you know your anxiety is rising and you realized you forgot to take your medication. Service dogs are great, because they can be an alarm that won't leave you alone. A well-trained service dog knows when it's time for your medication and they will bother you until you take it.

8. They can give deep pressure therapy for calming

Deep pressure therapy is scientifically proven to be very relaxing and calming, especially during a panic attack. This therapy has been shown to shorten and lessen the severity of panic attacks. If you have a service dog, he can lay his head or body against your chest to give you deep pressure therapy at any time of the day. It's a medication-free way to help if your dog notices an attack coming on.

9. They can ground you to the present

During an anxiety attack, you begin to lose sense of the here and now - which is part of the panic that grips you. Part of a service dog's training can be to lick your face or hand or poke at you to help you keep a hold of your senses during an attack. You might also find that petting your service dog helps ground you as well. If your dog gives you deep pressure therapy by pressing up against your chest in your lap, and is licking your face while you pet them, you'll find that you can keep from losing yourself in the panic much more easily.

10. They can lead you out of a building

This is one of the more impressive tasks a service dog can do. Service dogs can be trained to find the exit from a store or building for you. This is absolutely fantastic if you begin to feel claustrophobic or overwhelmed and need to get outside or away from people as quickly as possible. It's most useful, of course, if you lose your sense of direction. Your service dog can get you out in no time. They can also find your car, which is useful even if you aren't having a panic attack.

11. They can alert a loved one

If a panic attack comes on while you're upstairs and your friend/roommate/family member/significant other is in the basement, how can you let them know something is wrong in time? The answer is that your dog can find them and let them know. A service dog can be trained to find people by name, so they can fetch a person to help.

12. They can find and bring you your phone

Another task a service dog can provide is to bring your phone to you. This can do two things: help you feel comfortable knowing your dog can find and bring your phone if it's lost, or get your phone if you need to call someone to help you. If you struggle with health anxiety (what if I break my leg and can't get to my phone?) like I sometimes do, it feels good to know that your dog is there to help if you can't find or get to your phone.

13. They can keep people away from you

Sometimes during panic attacks, well-meaning people try to come help you. Many times, however, strangers can make a panic attack worse. A service dog can act as a barrier between you and strangers, pacing around you and pushing people away while you calm down.

14. They can help give you back your independence

So many people with crippling anxiety have found relief through service dogs. They go from having to rely on and inconvenience a family member to being able to live, go to school, travel and work with a dog by their side. A service dog can be literally freeing.

15. They bring a higher quality of life and lower depression

If you suffer from depression along with your anxiety, dogs have been scientifically proven to treat depression. People have a higher quality of life and are happier when they own a service dog because they know they have someone to take care of them. Everyone is happier when they can take care of themselves.

16. They reduce stress (cortisol) levels

Cortisol is a hormone that indicates our stress levels and is related to anxiety. In this study, autistic children's cortisol levels were measured before having a service dog, while they had a service dog, and after the service dog left their home. There was a statistically significant reduction in cortisol levels while they had the service dog in their home compared to before and after. This has been shown to also be true for heart failure patients and children with insecure attachment difficulties.

17. They can help you feel safe

Having a well trained service dog can help you feel safe in more ways than one. Of course, there is the safety that comes from having a backup for managing your anxiety - a second set of paws devoted to watching you for symptoms. There's also the physical safety that a dog can bring as well. A good sized dog will make a person with any scary intentions think twice before doing anything to you - whether or not your dog would actually protect you.

18. You'll always have a friend (without imposing on anyone)

Studies show that people feel less lonely when they have a service dog. So if you need to move somewhere where you're by yourself, you don't need to feel like you're alone. You'll always have a friend in your service dog, and you'll never find a better one. He'll always be there for you. Service dogs are allowed by law in any apartment or home, so you don't even need to worry about finding pet-friendly housing.

19. They'll help you want to go out more

If there's anything that makes you want to stay home all the time, it's anxiety. Nothing is more embarrassing than meltdowns around other people. The unfortunate thing is, if you don't go out, things just get worse. Studies show that the positive interactions with people and the reduction of stress that a service dog brings will have you going out more. You'll actually want to leave home. You'll feel less worried about what is going to happen and more confident that things will go well.

If you feel like anxiety has taken your life away from you, a service dog can give you back what you've lost. My dog's incredible sensitivity to my needs helps me function from day to day like I used to. My dog has in many ways saved my life, and many other people with service dogs feel the same way.

Almost any dog can be a service dog with the right training on your part. You can find healing and hope with your best friend by your side. Bronco has been one of the best things that could have ever happened to me - I couldn't imagine living without him now. Dogs are a wonderful addition to an anxiety treatment plan.

To learn more about training a dog to help with anxiety, please drop by my website: Comehereboy.com and take a moment to sign up for my newsletter.

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19 Reasons to Get a Service Dog For Your Anxiety

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Today's guest post is brought to you by Christina of Comehereboy.com. Christina has been training dogs for over a decade and developed her website to teach others to train their dogs to manage anxiety - Paul Dooley Anxiety had taken my life from me.

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12 reasons why a dog can help you cope with depression and anxiety

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Dogs and PTSD - PTSD: National Center for PTSD

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Describes dogs as pets, service animals, and emotional support animals and discusses what is known about the role of dogs in PTSD recovery.

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Dogs for Depression is a non profit self help information website about rescuing dogs. Its goal is to highlight the healing and lifestyle benefits a dog can offer in recovering from depression and to promote rescue dog adoption.

On our site you will find lots of information about how dogs help people with depression, and how you can go about helping a dog by rescuing an abandoned pet.
We cover the important things to consider when planning your dog rescue: how to choose a dog that's right for you and hints and tips on caring for your dog once he arrives in his new home.

Our objectives are to:

raise awareness of the health benefits of dog ownership for people suffering from depression, anxiety, stress or other illnesses
promote dog welfare through the rescue and adoption of abandoned pets
encourage responsible dog ownership by offering information about choosing and caring for a dog
improve the public's understanding of depression as an illness and combat stigmatisation

We hope you find this website helpful and informative.

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Dogs for Depression is a non profit self help information website about rescuing dogs. Its goal is to highlight the healing and lifestyle benefits a dog can offer in recovering from depression and to promote rescue dog adoption.

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I first began experiencing anxiety and depression at the age of 14 after being bullied at school for years. While at first it would come and go, anxiety and depression eventually became a constant presence in my life. It was like a perpetual cough that eventually starts to get better, only to come back worse than before. Only unlike a cough, where usually I am still able to function, anxiety and depression hits like a ton of bricks and even the idea of getting out of bed seems to be a goal that gets to be less and less attainable. As time passed, more and more of my days started to be spent paralyzed by endless thoughts of regrets of the past and worries for the future.

I was so intent on finding the solution to overcoming my anxiety and depression that I studied mental health in school, from college to grad school for 7 years, and yet still felt I hadn't even come close to grasping how to manage my own anxiety and depression. I felt very confident about helping others; yet, horribly useless at helping myself. Something was missing; a piece to my puzzle that I had yet to discover.

I tried everything; anti-depressants, special teas, yoga, vitamins and anything I read about in books and advice given by doctors. I bought a membership to the gym because of how beneficial exercise is for mental health. But every day, I would drag my feet to the gym, hating every moment of it from beginning to end. Oh, how I loathe the gym. I even moved 8 hours away from home in the hopes of having a new beginning, a new me, but that just seemed to make things worse. I felt isolated and lost in an unknown city.

This was my life for over ten years; getting better, to just fall again and start over. It felt like a constant uphill battle, swimming against the current, and I started to feel like nothing was going to work. I started to believe that I'd have to live the rest of my life with this dark cloud constantly hanging over me, rearing its ugly head just when things are starting to look up. Until one day, I fell upon an article that talked about how dogs were able to help people with their mental health, like anxiety and depression. I had always loved dogs; my family had many growing up and they had always been wonderful companions. So I decided I was going to get a dog. I settled on the idea of getting a Pembroke Welsh Corgi because if they were good enough for the Queen, they were good enough for me; not to mention they are hilarious and cute.

When I brought my little corgi, Buddy, home in November of 2014, I didn't realize at the time how much he would truly change my life. But it didn't happen right away. Once the new puppy excitement went away, the anxiety and depression crept back as it always had. I woke up one morning and felt those familiar feelings again; the weight on my shoulders, the nausea in my stomach, the feelings of hopelessness and worry. I knew that the anxiety and depression had come back hard and felt depleted. I didn't want to get out of bed. It felt impossible. I turned to pull the covers back over my head and give up for the day. What I always did. That's when I came face to face with Buddy.

Buddy started jumping all over me, kissing my face, letting me know that it was time to go outside. It was as if he was saying, "It's no time to be sad, the world is awesome!" And for the first time in my life, on a day when my anxiety and depression was present full force, I got out of bed. I put on my winter boots, snow pants, gloves, hat, scarf, coat, and went for a walk in the snow with my new best friend. I realized at that moment, walking down the street in minus 30 degree weather, that my life was changing. I really was a new person. This was my new beginning, my missing puzzle piece.

It has been over a year and a half since that day and I have never spent another day unable to get out of bed. I have not cried myself to sleep or spent my days paralyzed by fear and regret. Sure, I still have days when I feel sad or anxious, but with my best Buddy by my side, I have finally learned how to manage these feelings and emotions.

I finally realized the answer to my decade long question of how to manage anxiety and depression - - all things that were unattainable for me before, were achieved by getting a dog. The reason these three things are so key is they all trigger the release of the chemical serotonin - the feel-good chemical in our brains. By having increased levels of serotonin every day, symptoms of anxiety and depression can dramatically decrease.

Before Buddy came into my life, I was not able to get enough exercise because there was nothing truly motivating me to exercise, which made my attempts at changing my life to be more active short lived. I wasn't getting enough laughter because as an introverted person, socializing is not my forte, so I don't spend a lot of time with friends or doing activities that promote laughter. And I had a lot of love in my life from my friends and family, but not the kind of unconditional love you get from a dog. The kind of love that greets you at the door every day after a long day of work and just turns everything around.

A dog motivates you to get out the door for fresh air and exercise, even when it's the last thing you feel like doing. A dog brings you so much laughter and joy, unlike anything I've experienced before, with their unique personalities and hilarious quirks (search "funny dog videos" and you'll know exactly what I am talking about). And lastly, a dog brings you unconditional love, the kind of love that never stops. With these three things in your life, anxiety and depression can be part of your past as it has become a part of mine.

Getting a dog can dramatically change the way you are able to manage your anxiety, depression, or simply your overall mental health; however, it's important to consider many things before getting a dog. Thousands of dogs are abandoned at shelters every year, especially during the first year of their lives, because owners were unaware of how much time and money a dog requires. If you are considering getting a dog to help improve your mental health, here are some things to consider:

1. Do I have time for a dog? A dog requires a minimum of 2 hours a day of your time and attention. A puppy requires even more, around 4 hours a day. Not ready to commit to raising a puppy? Consider rescuing a dog in need of a home. Thousands of dogs are in need of homes.

2. What breed do I want? If you want a dog that will motivate you to exercise, pick a dog breed that requires the level of exercise you want to partake in. Dog breeds range from low to very high exercise requirements. Also, dog breeds are known for different personalities, pick one that suits you. I picked a Pembroke Welsh Corgi because they are known to be very funny and loving.

3. Do I have the money? While dogs do not need to be expensive, it's important to make sure that you have enough money to support their needs. This includes all of their accessories, training tools, food, treats, and vet bills.

Getting a dog was the missing piece in my puzzle in helping me learn to manage my anxiety and depression and could be the piece that changes your life. But no matter what your missing piece may be, whether you know what it is or not, never lose hope that things will get better.

" Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise."
- Victor Hugo, Les Misérables.
If you -- or someone you know -- need help, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you are outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of international resources.

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How a Dog Helped Me Manage My Anxiety and Depression

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I first began experiencing anxiety and depression at the age of 14 after being bullied at school for years. While at first it would come and go, anxiety and depression eventually became a constant presence in my life. It was like a perpetual cough that eventually starts to get better, only to come back worse than before.

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Reddit/tattooedtwin

Anxiety can be the worst. For people with anxiety disorders or even those who just get anxious a lot, there's often no way around it, but there are some ways to manage it. Everyone has their own coping mechanisms that work for them (and not every method works for every person), but sometimes, having a pet can help to curb anxiety.

No, pets can't talk, and maybe they don't know exactly what anxiety is, but animals are a lot more intuitive than people think. For a person with anxiety, a pet can do wonders.

Here are just a few small ways having a pet can be a fantastic thing for an anxious person:

A pet is always down to cuddle.

Contact with another being can do wonders to help anxiety. Maybe it helps you feel less alone, or less like you have to handle everything by yourself. Keith Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, agrees with this, saying, "Holding and stroking a pet is calming for many people, even those without anxiety problems."

When your anxiety is all-consuming and you're freaking out, having your pet jump into your lap and begin to snuggle can really help bring you back down.

Reddit/colleenpettit

You have someone to listen to who won't offer advice.

Sometimes, you don't want advice. Not everyone understands anxiety, and many people think they can "fix" you. Even well-intentioned people think that a few pieces of good, sound advice will be enough to cure you of your fears, but, for some, anxiety is deeper than that.

A pet will never try to fix you. You can sit with your pet on the couch for hours and just rant, and she won't try to advise you or solve all your problems. There are times when you just want to talk, and you don't need anyone to say anything back. A pet will simply sit there and love you. And sometimes, that's all you need.

They offer an excellent distraction.

With anxiety, a small feeling can escalate into something huge very quickly. The tiniest thing might not be that big of a deal to some, but anxiety turns it into the apocalypse. It becomes all you can focus on.

When you have a pet around, you have to focus on him. "When we focus attention on taking care of a pet, it help takes our mind off of our own worries," Humphreys told The Dodo. As we all know, pets need a lot of care and attention. Your pet needs food and walks and love - all things you can focus on to distract you from your impending doom.

"Providing for the simple needs of a pet can create a feeling of mastery when everything else seems out of control or overwhelming," Humphreys said. A pet can be a great way to remind yourself, "Right, so maybe the world is ending. But, I still need to walk the dog."

Reddit/tattooedtwin

There's always someone home with you.

When you have anxiety, being alone can be pretty nerve-racking. Every noise and flicker of light can set you on edge. When you have a pet around, dealing with the aloneness becomes a little bit easier. Having another body in the house with you, someone you can talk to in order to ease your nerves, can help so much more than you might think. When you have a pet, someone is always home, so really, you're never actually alone.

Playing with your pet can be a great way to clear your mind.

Yes, everything is stressful sometimes. Life is hard. Everything in the whole world makes you anxious. There are some moments, though, when you're taking your dog on a walk or your cat is going nuts over a piece of string, when you realize you aren't thinking about anything stressful or anxiety-provoking. Your mind is clear, and you're happy just making your pet happy. Those moments can be rare, but your pet is more than willing to help give them to you.

Reddit/CapJackSparrow

A pet will never judge you.

Never. You can be anxious and afraid around your pet, and she will never care. As long as you love and take care of your pet, she will still love you. So, you're anxious - so what? Your pet still thinks you're the best thing in the whole world, and that's something.

They can help with meeting new people.

Socializing and interacting can be super anxiety-provoking. Making friends and holding conversations can be a challenge, but your pet is here to help. Your puppy is adorable? Everyone who sees him will stop to tell you so.

"Some people find that being with a pet makes their anxiety at meeting strangers less," Humphrey's said. "A pet is also often a way into social interaction, like when you see someone walking a dog they may seem more approachable and also you have a conversation starter at hand. ('Is that a beagle?' 'Wow,what a beautiful coat of fur!,' 'What is your dog's name?')."

Your pet is an automatic conversation starter, the mutual friend between you and the world - and sometimes even a wingman. Hey, if it works, it works.

You never have to worry if your pet loves you or not.

Sometimes, it can feel like no one really likes you all that much. That's not true, of course. It's still hard to make yourself believe it, though. But when you come home and your pet comes running to you, you know one thing: as long as you have your pet, there will always be at least one person in the world who's on your side.

In fact, they'll always love you, no matter what.

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Pets Are Like Superheroes For People With Anxiety

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Anxiety can be the worst. For people with anxiety disorders or even those who just get anxious a lot, there's often no way around it, but there are some ways to manage it. Everyone has their own coping mechanisms that work for them (and not every method works for every person), but sometimes, having a pet can help to curb anxiety.

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A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities

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A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

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A disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

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This lovable fellow is Sarge, the PTSD service dog of Chris Garvey, who works as a combat lifesaver instructor at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in NJ. In this photo, Sarge is happily receiving loving hugs from some Army troops before they deploy. He is a real hit around the base.

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PTSD Dogs, PTSD Service Dog Training, Psychiatric Service Dogs

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Canines 4 Hope trains PTSD Service Dogs to alert and respond while providing comfort to people with PTSD. No Long Waiting Lists! A PTSD Service Dogs assist in a medical crisis, provide treatment related assistance, assist in coping with emotional overload and perform security enhancement tasks.