How Pets Help with Depression: Healing Through Unconditional Love and Companionship

When depression makes it hard to get out of bed, eat, or even believe things will ever get better, a loving pet can be a lifeline. In this moving episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Lori shares how her dogs helped her survive and heal after divorce and severe depression.

Lori describes days spent “swimming through mud,” unable to function—until her dogs gave her a reason to get up, go outside, and reconnect with the world. Through their loyalty, routine, and affection, she found purpose and emotional grounding when her mental health was at its lowest.

Hosts Terry McGuire, Bridget, and Carly McCollow discuss how pets—dogs, cats, or other animals—can support depression recovery by encouraging exercise, structure, connection, and even laughter. The episode also explores how caring for another living being can restore a sense of normalcy, purpose, and calm when life feels chaotic.

You’ll also learn simple ways to bring the healing power of animals into your life, whether by adopting, fostering, or even dog walking for a friend.

Primary Topics Covered:

• How animals provide emotional support during depression
• The role of pets in building routine, structure, and accountability
• Why unconditional love from animals can reduce isolation and loneliness
• The connection between physical movement (dog walks) and improved mood
• How therapy animals and rescue pets can support mental health
• Real stories of how pets “save lives” through small, consistent acts of care
• Ways to experience the benefits of animals even if you can’t own one (volunteering, pet sitting, fostering)
• The importance of small daily check-ins and accountability with loved ones

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: How depression isolates us and how connection helps
 01:12 – Meet Lori and her story of living with depression and loss
 03:20 – Family history of depression and stigma around mental illness
 04:38 – Divorce, despair, and “swimming through mud”
 05:16 – How her dogs kept her alive and gave her purpose
 06:03 – Emotional healing through loyalty and companionship
 07:00 – Exercise and connection: walking dogs as therapy
 07:55 – How pet routines bring structure and calm to chaotic times
 08:44 – Crying, walking, and slowly finding light again
 09:43 – Distraction and small steps toward recovery
 10:33 – The power of human accountability: texting a friend daily
 11:56 – Medications, therapy, and the regret of waiting too long
 12:20 – How pets bring calm, peace, and a sense of normalcy
 13:50 – Staying connected: daily check-ins that save lives
 15:19 – Humor and warmth: the comfort of shared moments
 16:05 – How to experience animal connection even without ownership
 17:01 – Closing reflections and links to resources

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/