This dog’s allowed

Posted by admin on Jul 11, 2005 in Community | 0 comments

When surrounded by the darkness of depression, I am assured that Jesus is with me. There are still moments, though, when I find myself wishing for someone with skin on. For me, Ruby is that someone. If you have ever crossed paths with a blond student walking a little furry puppy, that blond is me, and that scruffy little dachshund is Ruby, my animal therapy dog.

I began treatment for depression over a year ago. Even on medication,I was still struggling against the darkness. After talking with my doctor and reading about the benefits of animal therapy, I decided to get a dog.

Ever since I got her last October, Ruby has brought so much to my life, including dramatic improvements to my mental health. For starters, Ruby is my little love bug. Her unconditional love and energetic support keep the debilitating feelings of loneliness and despair at bay. When I suffer from anxiety, Ruby’s presence and support calms me. I also feel incredibly protected by my little wiener dog. So far she has alerted me to an assault in progress
and just the other week her growling brought my attention to a neighborhood burglar. (What can I say? I live in Whalley!)

Furthermore, having a service animal has brought structure to my life. The added structure removes uncertainties from my day and, in turn, lessens my overall stress level. Ruby also demands numerous walks and lots of playtime, so I get great exercise, which benefits my health and well-being.

Most importantly, Ruby is incredibly sensitive to my moods and needs. When she senses that I’m down, she tries to cheer me up, by either snuggling with me or just being a clown. Once when I was sad, she stuck her head in between the cushions of the couch, somehow managing to balance herself on her head so her entire body was flailing around in the air. Her quirky nature brings joy and laughter to my day, which is important since it’s hard to be wallowing in despair when you’re laughing your head off.

All this being said, I believe that animal therapy is not the best answer for everyone. I have read accounts of people suffering with depression who can’t function unless they have their therapy animal with them. The animal must remain a service animal and not a crutch or one’s only means of support.

In these situations, the animal becomes an inhibitor rather than a type of support. For this reason, I do not bring Ruby with me everywhere. She assists me with my condition, but I don’t rely on her in order to function. I bring her to school, but she stays with friends in the Redeemer Pacific student lounge when I’m in class.

We are normally hanging out in the student lounge at RPC, located in the house adjacent to TWU’s entrance. I want to invite all of TWU’s dog-deprived students to come and visit Ruby any time. Hope to see you there!