When You Love Your Dog More than Most People (And That’s Okay)
If your dog feels more comforting than most people in your life, you’re not alone. Here’s why loving your dog deeply is valid, healing, and nothing to be ashamed of.…
Why Watching Wildlife Can Be Good for Your Mental Health
Watching wildlife—even from your own backyard—can ease stress, inspire mindfulness, and bring moments of awe that support better mental health. By Sergio ToledoEditor-in-Chief, Heed to Heal Introduction You don’t always…
When a Pet Is More than Just a Pet
The bond we share with pets can run deep—offering comfort, stability, and even healing. Learn why animals can mean so much more than companionship. By Sergio ToledoEditor-in-Chief, Heed to Heal…
Do Cats Make Good Therapy Animals?
Therapy dogs aren’t for everyone. By Dr. Grace CarrollLecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, School of Psychology Queen’s University Belfast Dogs are sociable, enthusiastic and widely used to comfort people in settings…
Why Mental Health Professionals Should Ask Questions About Pets
For mental health professionals, exploring the role of pets in clients’ lives can offer valuable insights into their family dynamics and well-being. By Dr. Renata RomaSupervised Therapist and Postdoctoral FellowUniversity of Saskatchewan By Dr. Laleh DadgardoustPhD in Forensic…
How Pet-Friendly Homeless Shelters Heal
The bond between people and their pets can be life-saving, especially amid the struggle for safe housing. By Corrie AuneFreelance documentary photographer “First, my brother passed away and then my mother,”…
Service dogs can help Veterans with PTSD
Traditional treatments for PTSD, such as talk therapy and medication, do work for some veterans. But service dogs can make a difference when those methods fall short. By Dr. Leanne NieforthAssistant ProfessorPurdue University By Dr. Marguerite…
Where Children Discover the Healing Power of Animals
In this sanctuary, at-risk kids begin to understand the parallels between their lives and the lives of injured wild animals. By Isabelle MorrisonFreelance writer and a former solutions reporting intern…
Pets give Companionship, Cuddles and joy – and also Unavoidable Stresses
Pets often become an integral part of the family system, and some people say their bond to their pet is akin to that of a human child. By Emily HemendingerAssistant Professor of Psychiatry University…
The joy of Birdwatching: Research Shows it can Improve Mental Health and Foster a Sense of Wellbeing
Twitching can help promote feelings of positivity, improve mood and foster an affinity with nature. By Dr. Jolanta BurkeSenior Lecturer, Centre for Positive Health SciencesRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Introduction The mental health benefits of being in nature have long been…
