Hi, how’s it going? Hope you are doing well.
Recently I had someone asking me for advice on a topic that I didn’t expect. They were a supporter to a person who has bipolar disorder, and they were looking for a pet for their loved one. They wanted to know what type of pet they should be looking into.
They had heard of psychiatric service dogs, and were also wondering whether that would be appropriate in their situation. A psychiatric service dog is a dog who helps out a person who has a mental illness to do the things in life that they would normally find difficult.
They can remind the person to take their medications at a certain time every day, or cheer them up when they are depressed. They can help calm them down when they are irritated, and can even call 9-1-1 if a medical emergency arises!
But psychiatric service dogs need a lot of training, attention, and care. They need an owner who will love them and understand their needs, and they need to be taken with the person nearly everywhere they go. Psychiatric service dogs are a great thing, but they are only appropriate in certain people’s lives.
But a pet in general can work into most people’s lives. And, of course, there are many different kinds of pets. The two most common are dogs and cats, but I’ve heard of everywhere from fish and hamsters to snakes and birds, and even to more exotic animals.
Some of these animals can be great therapeutic animals for people who have bipolar disorder. Sometimes that’s just because something else is depending on the person, and it’s just like as if they were growing a garden or something of that nature. Other times it’s because the animal can interact with the person.
And, of course, some people are just not animal lovers, so you need to take that into consideration, also. Don’t get a pet for your loved one if you think they will ignore, abuse, or dislike it. But if you are convinced that it will do them good, then the next step is to pick out which kind of animal would be best.
To start off with, as a rule of thumb, I would avoid the more dangerous animals. Then, think about whether the person will need the animal to interact with them or not. If they will need interaction, then I would not suggest a hamster or a lizard.
Then you might think about how much energy the person is going to have to deal with the pet. Dogs usually require a lot of energy. So if they have a lot of energy to give to a dog, then that might be the best bet. If not, then you might consider a different animal.
Finally, we get to temperament. Each animal has its own temperament. So does each person, for that matter. Matching up your loved ones temperament with the animals should be done with your loved one present, as it is often like finding a new friend.
There are lots of things that are great to do as surprises, but picking an animal for someone is probably not one of them. They need to be there to help pick out which individual animal is right for them.
In the end, you may need to help your loved one to take care of the animal while they are depressed, but don’t completely take over the job. Encourage them to get up and take care of their pet, reminding them that their pet depends on them. This will most likely help out with their depression, as well.
Pets can, under the right circumstances and if chosen right, help out a person who has bipolar disorder. Do you have any pets? If so, have they helped out your loved one?
Well, I have to go!
Your Friend,
Dave
Post responses below
oh I agree on the pet issue. I have two kittens and I love them so much. one is a lover and one is independent. It’s impossible to learn what temperment they will have as kittens (I think) but holding them and loving them up a lot really makes them more lovable. they keep me company as I live alone. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
But psychiatric service dogs need a lot of training, attention, and care. They need an owner who will love themand understand their needs, and they need to be taken with the person nearly everywhere they go. Psychiatric service dogs are a great thing, but they are only appropriate in certain people’s lives. But a pet in general can work into most people’s lives. And, of course, there are many different kinds of pets.
WOW!!!! THAT SOUNDS LIKE A “PERFECT SPOUSE” (the listening part right)? just like psychiatrist – they always “want” to listen……..and are there solely for your happiness and comfort…
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
My husband is Bipolar. Our dog, Australian Sheppard & malamute mix, for him, has been one of the most calming influences when he is rapid cycling. She is not trained as a service dog, but her natural instincts pick up on his moods. She seems to know when he needs her and will snuggle up beside him on the couch. As he strokes her I can see the change in his demeanor. He is an animal lover and this dog has been a life saver.
Hi David,
I read your email on people with Bi-Polar having a pet.I have Schizo-affective disorder and I totally feel this is so true and I highly recommend a Papillion they are the most unique dogs they are so passionate ,loving ,caring and will do anything and everything to make you smile and laugh.I have been in major Psychosis and my little Pappy has brought me out of it.Thanks for the email as I totally agree that having a pet truly does bring a smile to your face as they love you unconditionally.
I have tried pets in the past and my current situation is so erratic that I would be doing a pet a dis-service by not being there for them. My work schedule is wishy washy and I know from past pets that I would need to be home on time each day/night.
I have a shit zu who is seven years old now and she is also my companion. Her name is Abigail. She follows me around all the time and I rarely leave her alone. When I get up in the morning she sits by my side and watches me. That seems to remind me to take my morning meds. Also to feed her. She is the most loving animal you would ever find. Then she wants to go for a walk so she sits at the door. I have to get up and get dressed and we go for a walk which gets me out of the house. I am forced to get some exercise and fresh air. I know if it wasnt for her I would probably go back to bed. We go on trips together in the car. I think we should be allowed to bring them as therapeutic dogs on planes and trains. Maybe one day they will be seen as such. I know flying for me is very stressful and having Abby there would sure make it less stressful.
She has her own chair and her own bed that she sleeps in. I keep her very clean and well growned.
I take very good care of her, Im sure some people say better than some kids are cared for but she also takes care of me.
Her and I are a team to keep my healthy. So why shouldnt I keep her the same.
Lorraine/Abigail
Hi Dave,
If only I had known about your Website when my son(born in 1958) who died in 1996 after being ill for 14 years with Schizophrenia. It would have helped us greatly in understanding and managing his condition. Doctors in this part of the world (Nairobi, Kenya) are not forthcoming in explaining to relatives just what they are dealing with when a relative has anything to do with mental problem. They either just prescribe medication or get the patient admitted in Hospital for a period of time and when the patient improves, he/she is discharged and becomes an out-patient. They don’t even bother to tell you what the medicines they prescribe are supposed to do!!!!!
But thank to God, our son was not violent, just quiet and withdrawn. But most of the times he was absolutely normal and if you did not know him, you would not suspect he was sick. After taking herbal medicine made of honey, he recovered somewhat and was able to manage himself quite well. And he was a very talented Artist, but due to our modest circumstances, he could not pursue it. He eventually died of a Brain tumour two years after my husband died. It was a double loss for me and my 3 daughters. I guess that tragic loss did affect me though at that time I was quite normal and continued to work quite normally until I had to retire in 2004 due to my back problem after a major operation.
It is true pets do help and my son loved cats – just like me. I have loved them since I can remember and our home has never missed having cats as pets. I find them very loving and good company.
Thank you, Dave. Please keep in touch
Regards
Mary
I had a dog and I have a cat now. My dog passed away a few years ago but she was with me when I was going through a very severe episode of depression. I believe she helped me a lot. I depended on her and she depended on me. That helped me to get up out of the bed and off of the couch and take care of her. I had to feed her and take her outside and pet her. This was therapeutic for me. I even took her with me when I went places. I’m so glad I had her during this awful time in my life. Of course I wish I still had her even though I am doing much better now. But I still have my cat who doesn’t require as much attention but still needs and wants some. This helps me when I am not feeling like doing anything because I know I have this big baby of a cat depending on me for love, food, water, and attention. He is good for relaxing me and making me feel better just having him around. Pets have been great for me with the exception of the very painful loss of my dog.
I had a poodle for 15 years thats where the name laciegirl came from. She was the perfect animal for me as a person with bi-polar. always beside me understanding if I was depressed or manic, she went with me every place I went. I lost her to cancer when she was 15. I now have a brussells griffion but he has more of a attitude & is more active than lacie was. I still have 2 cats she raised when they were babies nursed them even until she died. They are her children so I love them for that
I have always had one or more dogs. I love my dogs so much. I would not be alive if I didn’t have to stick around to take care of them. I’m on my meds and I can steel very bad. Without them I’d have already have “checked out”. I couldn’t live without my dogs.
hii dave…yes I have a jack russel he is a buger but he is loyal…a dont no about helping out though…I surpose its therputic when taking him out for walkies..
Take Care Linda..x
Yes…Dave, we have an 80 lb. Pit Bull,I am sill healing from a broken finger and hit my head on the cement from bringing him inside on the leash and he darted off and took me with him! All though he is a lot of company and this dog is so kind it is amazing as I always thought they were fighters.I Love this dog and my son loves this dog and so do his children(my grandchildren) and this pit bull loves them too.I guess we’re lucky to have found him at Seaaca and adopted him.Acctually he is a comfort to all of us.In all my years I’ve never come accross a more loveable dog all though he is very protective of us and any strangers that come to the door but he minds us very well when spoken to.And we also have acquired a baby German Shepard and another baby Pit Bull.The only thing for them(bi-polar son) and grandchildren to comprehend is we cannot afford three dogs!They scrape up money and get food for the pups before they would even do for themselves.This is such a delemma as I love animals too and I don’t have the heart to let them go or go through an episode of the balistic,defiant,yelling and screaming behavior at the mention of it. Even if I say to find a home for only the two pups my son brought home from off the street they refuse to even think of it..I might as well pack up and go!I immediately become the enemy to them!!What would you do?
I had a bassett/beagle mix that was great for depression. He was mellow, but still required interaction. He was also good at noticing seizures. I would take him on appointments and he always spotted the most depressed person in the room and sit with them. When I had back surgery, he was next to me except to eat and go outside to the bathroom. He knew not to jump on me. He had to be taken out of the room when the nurses changed my dressings. He was very protective.
I am a supporter of my thirteen year old daughter who has BP. We have two dogs which she loves very much. When she gets scared she carries our peek a poo everywhere she goes in the house to make her feel better. She also talks to them when she feels sad or angry.
I agree, I have a Siberean Husky and Samoyd. They are my snow dogs. I hope to sled with them and ski with them this year. My children are raised this year and they are my babies to keep me going. They have my “rough” side. Yet they are my “babies” to love and cuddle with.
The new puppy at a friend was one of the most powerful recovery aids that I could have imagined. I would say if you cannot get a dog of your own – borrow one or even go to a local dog park!!
I have two adult cats, and, boy! do they keep me grounded…they depend on me to feed them, give their medications (don’t try this at home!), and interact with them on a daily basis. My older cat is 11, and the young one is 7. Right now, the older one needs to take antibiotics for a severe ear infection. I tried giving it to him by holding his mouth open – disaster! Now that I have several scratches on my arm, I’ve gone the “vet route,” and hide the pill in a treat. He doesn’t even like to take it that way, but I’m making progress. I haven’t been throuh a depression with them, but know that they are there for me. I highly recommend either a dog or ao cat for a person with bipolar. As you say, we have to take responsibility and be accountable for our actions. Having a beloved pet can help ANYONE respond better to treatment.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I continue to pray for my country.
I am Bipolar and LOVE my cat. He is a rascal and loves to play. But he seems to instinctively know when I’m not feeling well and have to lie down. He will lie down beside me on the bed and stay there until I get up again. He is great company for me. I don’t know what I would without him!
Hi Dave,
Gotta step up here, for their never ending loyalty,
constant attention, snuggling therapy and unconditional
love. Needing hope and lots of it one distressing day
I was headed for Home Depot and came back home mom of
2 baby daschunds. The very best thing I ever did for
myself in a very long time. They brought me back to life. We are now a team, Hope, Dude and I.
When my energy runs low, they chase lizards and
squirrels in their back yard. When I step out, they
wait for my return. They fight to kiss me first.
On a good day we walk along the river together. They
make me laugh and lighten up my heart.
Pawprints for life, puppy breath and many treats later,
we are one lucky and happy family. Sad to realize that
some humans are not that caring… Forever grateful for
you helping us hang in there and keep going. Great work
Dave. Just luv them e-mails.
@Lorraine-You can take Abigail with you on planes! All you need is a prescription from your doctor designating her as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). With this designation you can take your pet on airplanes and have them live with you in “No Pets Allowed” places. It is the law. I believe most doctors are willing to write this script as they know how important pets are to us bipolar people. Good luck!
My dog Fox has been a God Send to me. Somedays she the reason that I want to live She is very attuned to my moods and when I am down she stays right by my side. She loves her walks and that gets me outside I love her so much.
David you are correct about this. I have a Burmese cat named Simbur. She loves to play Tag. She runs and hides and when you walk away because you didn’t find she runs out and tags you. This has been the best two years since I got her. Now obviously I’m a cat lover so something else that makes my days special. Where I live there are 100 abandoned cats. So I get up every morning at the same time and I feed 8 to 10 cats and kittens every day. They were starving and I couldn’t just back and watch them die. I love watching them sleep and play on my patio. I know people say I’m making a mistake but I help them and they help me. They make me laugh and smile.
Thank you for tale!
Oh yes, an animal makes an incredible difference in an individual’s life. It has been proven to bring down an individuals blood pressure! Also increase longivity. I attained a new puppy and I saw my father run past our side windows. Then my Mother! I thought maybe there was a fire. Nope, just that old married couple playing with that beautiful puppy. That year I signed the pup over to my Father. They lived happyily ever after for the next 13 years.
David, I have a border collie and a beagle. My sister, Kathy, the one with bipolar, would not take care of an animal. She wants my dogs because they are already trained and they of course are adult dogs. I, myself, am an amimal lover but Kathy is not. She will sometimes not even get off of the couch. So to get her a dog or any kind of animal would be a mistake. Dogs require alot of attention. I should know, I have two and I have in the past have had as many as five at a time. I do love my dogs very much and they give me alot of joy.
Whether you have bipolar or not, I strongly believe in having pets. Nothing can be better than a cat or dog to relieve stress.
.
SUZANNE, I have always had cats and found giving them a pill is practically impossible. Ask your vet to give you a syringe (without a needle!) Here’s what to do: Grind the tablet to a powder with a spoon in a small bowl, pour a few drops of water on it. Mix, soak it up into the syringe. Pick up the cat, quickly open his mouth, squirt. He’ll swallow it before he knows what’s happening. I think all vets should give you a syringe for your cats’ meds. For years I had a real pain in the proverbials giving meds to cats. Now this method is dead easy, you just have to be very quick. Good luck! Hope he gets well soon.