mental health
- lifestyle
How to Take Your Dog On a Mindful Nature Walk
Wellness experts and animal trainers agree: A tuned-in outdoor outing can be restorative for both people and pets.
![A woman walking with her dog in a garden.]()
- lifestyle
Pets Are Better at Grief Support Than People, Study Says
For starters, they’re better listeners.
![Woman and her dog snuggling at home.]()
- lifestyle
Meet Beacon, the Therapy Dog Who Helped Gymnasts De-Stress at the Olympic Trials
The pup is a credentialed staff member of USA Gymnastics.
![Suni Lee with Beacon, the USA Gymnastics' therapy dog]()
- lifestyle
Support Groups for Grieving Pet Parents Are on the Rise
The best medicine when you’re experiencing loss? Finding others who get it.
![Three woman hold and support each other.]()
- lifestyle
How I Built My Queer Family One Pet at a Time
My life looks nothing like I imagined growing up—but it’s perfectly complete.
![two dogs cuddling surrounded by a bright orange background with pink stars]()
- lifestyle
The “Pet Effect”: How Becoming a Pet Parent Could Seriously Improve Your Health and Life
The psychological theory that a cat or dog is the answer to true happiness is one we can’t argue with.
![Young woman and her dog enjoying together rays of sunshine in a living room.]()
- behavior
Pets Are the Best Medicine for PTSD—Here’s Why
Trauma can take many forms. Along with traditional therapy, animals are a great help.
![Man holding his small white dog in bed.]()
- lifestyle
I Have ADHD—Does That Make Me a Bad Dog Mom?
My brain isn’t always reliable, and I wonder if my pups hate me for it.
![Illustration of Hilary Weaver, with long brown hair, and striped shirts, pouring coffee while dog looks on]()
- lifestyle
The Healthiest Thing You Can Do Is Get a Dog, Harvard Report Says
Scientists confirm the myriad physical and psychological benefits of pet parenthood.
![Happy young woman in yoga clothes holding small tan dog in park]()
- lifestyle
Spending Time With Dogs Can Make You Better in Social Situations, Study Says
Especially if you pet them.
![Happy couple outside with their dog.]()
- lifestyle
FYI, Pets Are Incredibly Good For Your Mental Health
This Mental Health Awareness Month, experts share the science-backed ways our pets offer us emotional support.
![Valentin Pujadas illustration]()
- lifestyle
What People Can and Can’t Ask You About Your Service Dog
The questions will come, so you should be prepared with answers.
![Woman petting her small service dog.]()
- lifestyle
Shockingly, Your Pet Will Enhance Your Mindfulness Practice
The next time they try to kiss your face while you’re in corpse pose, let them.
![A woman holding a cat close to her while sitting on a yoga mat.]()
- lifestyle
How Do I Register an Emotional Support Animal?
Confused about ESA rules? Here’s a comprehensive guide that explains everything you need to know about emotional support animals registration.
![A woman laying on a zig zag patterned blanket while curling around her brown and white dog]()
- lifestyle
Forget Goat Yoga. Jessamyn Stanley Practices With Her Pets
Turn those barks and meows into namastes.
![African American woman with floral arm tattoos and short curly hair laughing with joy while holding her small Chihuahua dog outside]()
- lifestyle
Loneliness Is a Public Health Crisis. Pets Can Help
Per the US Surgeon General, loneliness is as dangerous for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Here are ways pets can solve that.
![two people bonding and smiling over a dog]()
- lifestyle
You Can’t Fly With Your Your ESA, But Your PSD Is Welcome on a Plane
Find out how here, including what the heck those acronyms mean.
![Backlit photo of a woman seated on an airplane holding her dog in her lap while they both look out of the open window.]()
- lifestyle
Chemistry Between People and Dogs Is Real (It’s Science)
How the “love hormone” oxytocin connects us with our pups.
![Man hugging his fluffy white dog happily]()
- health
Vets Are at High Risk For Compassion Fatigue—Here Are 4 Ways You Can Help
It’s extra important to be nice to the vet in your life.
![A smiling veterinarian holding a cat]()
- lifestyle
How Service Dogs Can Ease Veterans’ PTSD
According to a study, trained service dogs can interrupt panic attacks, wake veterans from nightmares, and more.
![A service dog for PTSD walking outside looking up at the camera]()
- lifestyle
108-Year-Old Woman Says Dogs Are the Secret to a Long Life
She says not having kids — and only dogs — is a huge contributor. Makes you think.
![Illustration by Zoé Coulon, a person holding a dog with two dogs beside them]()
- lifestyle
“Griffin’s Heart” Should Be Your Go-To Grief Guide
A pet-loss workbook sounds corny, but this gentle, realistic book lets you go at your own pace to heal.
![Woman hugging her dog while sitting on the couch.]()
- lifestyle
How 5 Pet Parents’ Lives Had a Glow-Up After They Got Their Pets
Turns out finding community isn’t so hard when you’ve got a cute pal to help get you out of the house.
![two girls bonding over a cute fluffy dog]()
- lifestyle
5 Science-Backed Ways to De-Stress Outdoors (Your Pet Is Invited)
The author of Return to Nature on the mental health benefits of getting out into various natural landscapes with your pup.
![A woman holding a dog in her arms while looking at a scenic view of the sea.]()
- lifestyle
Kelsey Darragh’s Pit Bull, Hippo, Is Her True Soulmate
The filmmaker, comedian, and mental health advocate’s boyfriend didn’t want to adopt their foster pup. She ditched the guy and kept the dog.
![Kelsey Darragh with her dog Hippo]()
- lifestyle
Pirate the Pit Bull Is Asha Leo’s “Person”
How the Pit Bull advocate is bolstered by her Instagram-famous psychiatric support dog.
![Asha Leo walks with her psychiatric service dog, Pirate, on a trail]()
- lifestyle
How Artist Grace Miceli’s Dog, Tony, Helps Her Deal
“I was like, ‘How can I draw myself without drawing my actual self?’ We have this sort of symbiotic relationship — he’s become this character that I’m able to explore things through...”
![grace miceli and tony]()
- lifestyle
Do You Have the Puppy Blues?
Don’t worry: It’s normal to feel sad or anxious after welcoming a new puppy into your life.
![Woman holding little english bulldog puppy in her hands and they are looking each other.]()
- lifestyle
These Organizations Support Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets
Learn how you can support their efforts.
![]()
- lifestyle
How My Dog Helps Me Stay Sober
Brie reminds me that my sobriety is so much bigger than myself.
![Illustration of woman holding mug and dog sitting amongst leaves]()
- behavior
5 Places Where Therapy Dogs Do Their Best Work
At airports, hospitals, schools, and more, therapy dogs make things better.
![]()
- lifestyle
10 Places Where Your ESA Is — and Is Not — Allowed
Not every public place allows ESAs — but there are ways to advocate for yourself and your needs when your pup or other ESA is not on the guest list.
![A redheaded woman in a black hat and sunglasses holding her pug dog under her arm as well as two boarding passes and her passport in an airport hallway]()
- lifestyle
8 Practical and Healing Ways to Remember Your Pet After They Pass
Even though it’s the last thing you want to think about.
![A woman laying on the bed with her Golden Retriever dog laying next to her]()
- lifestyle
Uvalde Students Have Some New Pals Going Back to School With Them: Dogs
How Golden Retrievers are helping Uvalde, TX, students return to class after the May 2022 tragedy.
