The Greatest Dogs In The World
New Jersey Therapist and Life Coach, Marlton NJ, Voorhees NJ, and Cherry Hill NJ (856) 352-5428) Contact NJTLC
Our Furry Family Members
Colton and Brookie, Colton and Brooke, Colton and Brooke! My loving, furry son and daughter, whom I love so much it’s impossible to put into words. You are the best dogs in the world. You are the most loving, cuddly, and adorable dogs there are, and I refuse to believe that there are more wonderful dogs.
Okay, so I’m nuts when it comes to my 3-year-old Labrador mix and my 10ish-year-old Catahoola Leopard Dog. They make me feel wonderful. To look in their eyes is to see heaven. I love them more than life itself.
Brooklyn and Colton
Sometimes, my clients and I talk about the positive impact their furry family members have on their lives, whether it's a dog or a cat; nothing seems more therapeutic than having a furry family member. The warmth and joy they bring to us is impossible to quantify. There’s something about them that can heal us and bring meaning to our lives faster than any therapist.
If only I had been taught how to be a dog or a cat in graduate school. Our dogs and cats aren’t just friends; they are family. And, having Colton and Brookie in the family absolutely supports positive mental health. They aren’t just dogs; they are therapists. Mental health research even shows that our furry family members play a large role in making us happier people and reducing our stress levels.
Stress
Let’s talk about stress. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and at other times, it feels like our brains are running nonstop. Dogs and cats are stress relief machines. Studies show that petting an animal lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and boosts oxytocin (the feel-good bonding hormone). This means that spending time with your furry family actually helps your body relax.
Loneliness
Then there’s loneliness. Anyone can feel lonely. Our furry family members fill that void in a way that feels genuine and comforting. Whether it’s your dog greeting you like you’ve been gone for a decade (when it’s really been 10 minutes) or your cat curling up beside you while you binge-watch Netflix, you’re reminded that you’re not alone. That sense of connection is great for our mental health.
Routine
Routine is another benefit—every morning when my coffee brews, I grab their bowls and feed them. As I eat breakfast, I let them out, and after breakfast, Colton bugs me endlessly to play ball with him. If you’ve ever had a dog, you know they don’t care if it’s raining, snowing—they’re still expecting a walk.
This kind of built-in schedule gives structure to your day. Cats, though less insistent about walks, also create a routine with feeding times and their interesting little rituals. For people struggling with depression or anxiety, routine can be a lifesaver.
Exercise
Don’t forget about physical activity. Walking your dog not only keeps them healthy but also helps you stay active and get in your “steps”. Exercise improves mood, decreases anxiety, and even fights depression. Even if you’re a cat person, playing with a toy mouse or encouraging your cat to chase gets you moving.
Their Greatest Gift
Then there is their greatest gift: unconditional love and companionship. Dogs and cats don’t judge you. I do my best to be the same way in your therapy sessions, but true unconditional positive regard is perhaps their most extraordinary quality. They just want to be with you. If you’re depressed, anxious, or feeling low self-worth, your furry family members are always loyal and there to help.
Furry family members are a responsibility— messy, expensive, and sometimes frustrating. But even those can be helpful. They teach us patience and commitment. And the reward—years of loyalty, companionship, and joy—makes it all worth it.
So, whether you’re a “dog person,” a “cat person,” or someone who happily lets both species run your household, know this: your furry family members are doing more than lying beside (or on top of) you. They help reduce your stress, increase happiness, and offer unconditional love without judgment.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live life without providing a home for a dog or cat that needs one. They don’t take up much space in the house, but remarkably, they fill our hearts with something so special that only they can provide.