Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

How Pets Help With Depression: Real Stories of Comfort, Purpose & Healing

16 Aug 2022

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What role can pets play in surviving depression? In this heartfelt episode, Lori shares her powerful story of how her beloved rescue dogs helped her through family trauma, a painful divorce, and the darkest moments of depression.From the structure of daily walks to the unconditional love of her standard poodles, Lori explains how her pets provided companionship, protection, purpose, and even healing when she felt she couldn’t go on. Along with Terry and Bridget, she also reflects on how fostering, volunteering, or even simply pet-sitting can bring connection and relief to people who struggle.If you’ve ever wondered whether pets can really make a difference in mental health, this episode offers both real-life testimony and practical ways animals can help ease depression.Primary Topics CoveredHow pets provide unconditional love and loyalty during depressionFamily history of depression and how stigma silenced open conversationSurviving a painful divorce and how dogs kept Lori goingThe healing role of therapy dogs and rescue petsHow walking dogs created structure, purpose, and daily connectionDistraction and grounding: focusing on pets instead of painThe calm and peace that pets bring into chaotic timesPractical ways to bring animals into your life, even if you can’t own oneTimestamps00:00 - Introduction and episode overview 01:13 - Why pets can be powerful allies in mental health 01:35 - Meet Lori: a lifelong dog lover and mental health advocate 02:10 - Family history of depression and silence around mental illness 03:42 - Lori’s personal struggles and painful divorce 04:33 - How her dogs kept her alive during her darkest year 05:09 - The healing role of her rescue poodles 06:07 - Loyalty, protection, and companionship in hard times 06:20 - How walking dogs provided structure and purpose 07:17 - Pets as a lifeline during chaos and depression 08:06 - Walking and crying: the release of grief with dogs by her side 09:04 - Distraction and focusing on pets instead of depression 09:56 - How medication and dogs together built a safety net 11:22 - The calming presence of pets and the peace they bring 13:12 - The role of human connection alongside pets 14:10 - Daily check-ins and accountability with a best friend 15:47 - Advice: rescue, foster, volunteer, or pet-sit if you can’t own a pet 16:29 - Closing reflections and resourcesExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/

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3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

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Giving Voice to Depression: Real Stories & Expert Support for Depression and Mental Health

How Pets Help With Depression: Real Stories of Comfort, Purpose & Healing

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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