Some say a dog is a man’s best friend. To others, a dog is family. Families go through all kinds of trials and tribulations individually and collectively. Some families have ditched the expensive therapy sessions and opted for a more furry approach to dealing with inner troubles.
Psychologists agree that dogs – or any other domestic pet – can be very therapeutic. There are also many groups in the city of Toronto that use dogs during human therapy.
St. John Ambulance uses therapy dogs to help psychically and mentally challenged kids through tough battles. The non-profit organization Paws with Love to Share does something very similar. Volunteers travel with animals to hospitals, nursing homes and schools to socialize, motivate and educate struggling people. Caring Canine is another non-profit organization that has a similar mandate.
Research has shown that owning a pet reduces blood pressure and stress levels. Owning a pet also allows one to be more emotionally connected and social with others.
Alana West can attest to that. The adoption of Maltese and Bijon mixed Leo (pictured below) got her father, Dave through his worst days. He was adopted from the human society in Alabama two years ago, before the nomadic family moved yet again to Fort Meyer, Florida. 
“He had been one of a group of dogs that were confiscated from a mentally ill woman that had been hoarding them in an un-airconditioned garage with various other types of animals,” West says. “The woman wanted to start a pet store, but because of her mental illness she was unable to care for the animals and they were rescued from the terrible conditions.”
As West recalls, when they took Leo home, he was heavily covered in mange and feces. She says they had no idea how old he was because he was so sick looking. He had a viral infection that had been spreading around, killing animals at the Lee County Humane Society. Shortly after he was adopted, Alana’s father lost his job and sank into a severe depression.
“He is not an emotionally open man and so despite any efforts from our family, he refused to open up to any of us. He did, however, bond to Leo. It was a mutual love.”
It appears Leo gave her father a reason to leave the house and socialize when going to the dog parks. People were in awe of the dog and it finally gave her doubting father a sense of value.
“When he had a heart attack and needed triple bypass. Leo was his security blanket. He was so antsy to get out of the hospital and home to Leo,” says West, adding that Leo also helped him in his recovery and again with his depression, which is a common side effect of the procedure.
She adds that her father openly credits Leo with helping him through some of his hardest emotional lulls. Her father was never much of an animal person until Leo came in his life. Now he is actively involved in charities and rescue programs for shelter animals and rescues.
“My parents have rescued and fostered animals that would have been euthanized had they not come into my parents’ life. It is because of Leo my father has become this way,” says West.
Sally Hosein is not only a mother to two children, she’s also a mother to all the animals she cares for when volunteering at several organizations.
Due to a car accident in 2006, Hosein still experiences neck and back pain and had to resign from work. Hosein credits pet adoption commercials for motivating her to be more involved with local animal shelters. A few months after the accident, after not working or leaving the house, Hosein began volunteering as a dog walker at a Mississauga animal shelter. She regularly visits Pawsway, a pet discovery centre located at the Harbourfront Centre in the heart of downtown Toronto.
When asked why she loves animals so much, Hosein says it’s because they are not judgmental; they are able to love anyone no matter what race or gender.
One thing Hosein loves seeing when stopping by PawsWay is the Purina Animal Hall of Fame. Over the past 41 years, 142 heroic Canadian dogs, cats and even horses have been inducted.
Anyone can agree it’s great to see all the people in this big, bright city taking the time to honour their four legged friends.
“I’ve seen so many sad dogs and cats sitting in their cages at shelters. They’re just waiting for a chance to make an impact on someone’s life,” says Hosein. “I truly believe they all deserve a chance at a better life and a chance to make someone’s life better, too.”
