Girl hugging dog with Oh Vienna Collar

🐾 5 Ways My Dog Helped My Mental Health

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week 💛

Mental Health Awareness Week always makes me pause and think about how far I’ve come - and how much one special rescue dog helped me through it.

When I went through a rough patch a couple years ago, panic arrived like an uninvited guest that wouldn’t leave. It came in waves, sometimes so strong I felt trapped in my own body. My world suddenly became smaller, quieter, and full of fear.

I already had Vienna then. She’d been part of my life for a while,  my shadow, my little sidekick, my best mate. But during that time, her role changed. She became my lifeline in ways I didn’t expect.

Here are five ways she helped me find my way back to myself.

1. Routine That Kept Me Steady

When your mind is in chaos, routine can be the thing that holds you together. Vienna didn’t understand panic, she just knew it was breakfast time, or walk time, or time for bed.

That simple structure was grounding when everything else felt out of control. I didn’t have to decide what to do, Vienna decided for me. And every time I showed up for her, I ended up showing up for myself too.

2. Movement Without Pressure

Exercise is one of the best natural mood boosters, but when you’re struggling mentally, it can feel impossible to start. Walking Vienna didn’t feel like “exercise”,  it felt like quality time. The fresh air, sunshine, and gentle movement helped me clear my head and reconnect with my body.

3. Connection Without Words

There’s something healing about unconditional love - no judgment, no expectations. When my anxiety was at its worst, Vienna would curl up beside me, rest her head on my lap and just be there, like she was saying, I’m here. You’re okay. That quiet companionship reminded me that I wasn’t alone - even when my brain tried to convince me otherwise.

4.  Learning to Be in the Moment

Panic lives in “what ifs.” What if it happens again? What if I can’t cope? But dogs, they don’t do what ifs. They only do now.

Watching Vienna chase tennis balls into the waves or do a 'big stretch' in the sun pulled me back into the present. She became my mindfulness teacher without even knowing it - reminding me that this moment, right here, is okay.

5. Finding Purpose Again

When you’re deep in panic, it’s easy to lose your sense of purpose. Vienna gave me one - in the simplest, most grounding ways. Feed her. Walk her. Love her.

Over time, those little acts of care grew into something bigger. Oh Vienna was born from that - from wanting to pour that same love and comfort into something meaningful. 

💬 This Mental Health Awareness Week

If you’ve ever been through something similar - panic, depression, burnout, whatever it looks like for you - I see you.

Take the walk. Breathe the fresh air. Hug your dog a little tighter.

Sometimes healing doesn’t come in grand gestures. Sometimes it looks like a quiet morning, a wagging tail, and the soft reminder that you’re still here - and that’s enough.

 

P.s. How cute is Ella-Bella! I'm lucky that my Psychologist has the sweetest unofficial therapy dog that can come along to sessions!

 

 

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