I don’t know about you, but when my dog wants to snuggle and give me love for no apparent reason, I feel a sense of joy and comfort that I cannot get anywhere else. Their unconditional love and kindness are unmatched and have been life-saving at different points in my life.
For example, during a dark period of my life when thoughts of suicide were present, prevention came from the love of my beloved best K9 friends, Phoebe and Lucy. They were a mother-daughter duo, and the thought of leaving them behind with no one to care for them became more important than my wanting to give up on life.
Of course, my teenagers were top of mind as well, but I thought they hated me, would be better off without me, and could live better lives with their father. Thankfully, I am still here to write this article and to be here for my sons after a brutal divorce (who live with me 100% of the time) and to still enjoy the unconditional love from my furry family members.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Research has shown that owning a pet provides an amazing array of health benefits, says Jeremy Barron, M.D., medical director of the Beacham Center for Geriatric Medicine at Johns Hopkins.
Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol , while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that bonds mothers to babies).
In fact, an astonishing 84 percent of post-traumatic stress disorder patients paired with a service dog reported a significant reduction in symptoms, and 40 percent were able to decrease their medications, reported a recent survey.
A 2011 study found that pet owners had better self-esteem. Another study determined that pets provided greater social support than humans in mitigating depression. ‘Caring for a pet provides a sense of purpose to the owner,’ says Barron. Plus, pets are a good social catalyst for meeting people who share your animal interests,”.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
Best emotional support dog breeds for anxiety and depression
In my personal, humble opinion, any dog that you can get close to and love is the best emotional support dog breed for anxiety and depression. All of my dogs have been supportive during times of stress and sadness. I have had the following types of dogs who loved me unconditionally and gave me a sense of purpose and meaning in my life:
- Chocolate Labrador named Josi, who was extremely loving and would get upset if I were crying
- Collie/Coyote mixed breed named Roxy, who would do something silly when I was sad
- Cockapoo/Shiatzu mixed breed named Luke, who would get the zoomies when I had a bad day
- Australian Shepherd/Terrier mixed breed named Clio, who would jump on my lap and get in my face if I was struggling emotionally
- Labrador/Pitbull mixed breed named Phoebe, who would do anything in her power to make me happy
- German Shepherd named Otis, who would bring me all of his toys if I were sad
- Labrador/Pitbull/ German Shepherd mixed breed named Lucy, who snuggles and kisses me when I have a hard time
U.S. Service Animals suggests the ten best service dog breeds for PTSD and anxiety as follows:
- “Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Poodle
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Boxer
- Border Collie
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Papillon
The best psychiatric service dogs are those that fit into your lifestyle and are able to provide you with the help you need. The breed doesn’t truly matter, but the knowledge we have about purebred dogs can help people choose a dog that will be capable of service work and will suit their lifestyle.
Anxiety and PTSD can be difficult to manage, but a psychiatric service dog can provide relief through trained behaviors and companionship. Whether you’re training your own dog or getting one through an organization, knowing about breeds can help you decide what type of dog would best suit your situation and needs,”.
Easy dogs to take care of
Let’s face it, when one is struggling with depression in particular, it is hard enough to care for oneself, let alone another living creature. However, certain dogs are easier to train and care for than others. Fortunately, I have almost always had dogs in my life (except for when I was growing up, as dogs were not allowed in our townhome), so when the hard times hit, they were already there.
Some dogs I find easiest to care for and fairly low maintenance are:
- Labrador retrievers
- Pitbulls
- Cockapoos
- Golden retrievers
- German Shepherds
While German Shepherds and Pitbulls are difficult in the beginning, once trained, they are very easy-going and extremely loving, attentive dogs. In fact, Phoebe, my Lab/Pit mix, and Otis, my German Shepherd, ended up mating and giving us a litter of puppies, which Lucy was a product of and has been by far the most supportive dog of them all. She is so sweet, gentle, and loving!
From sources across the web, here are some of the easiest dog breeds to take care of:
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- Boston Terrier
- French Bulldog
- Basset Hound
- Greyhound
- Whippet
- Maltese
- Pug
- Shih Tzu
- Labrador Retriever
- Bedlington Terrier
- Brussels Griffon
- Basenji
- Bichon Frisé
- Poodle
- Manchester Terrier
- Papillon
- Beagle
- Golden Retriever
- Temperament
- Havanese
- Mastiff
- Shiba Inu
Although, again, it is all about preference. Also, consulting with a therapist or family doctor for recommendations is a good idea too.
How do dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression
In conclusion, dogs offer more than just companionship—they provide emotional grounding, daily purpose, and unconditional love. Their presence can truly uplift our mental health and remind us that we’re never alone.