When the Doctor Wears Fur
Why Your Dog or Cat May Be One of the Best Docs 
Your Chronic Illness Could Ever Have
Many scientific studies have shown that pets have a positive effect on people — and especially on those of us living with a chronic condition. Pets not only ease loneliness, they help us break the spell of being mesmerized by our health concerns. Dogs help us exercise and socialize. Cats help us relax and feel soothed. Pets of all kinds help us laugh, feel reassured, and be in the present. But these “furry docs” contribute even more to our lives.
Pets can actually help prevent or alleviate serious medical conditions. A huge study involving over 4,400 participants — reported at an American Stroke Association conference in February (2008) — revealed that people with cats can reduce the likelihood of heart attack by 30% when compared with people who live without a cat.
Earlier research has shown that pets in general (no matter what kind) can reduce stress, add to the longevity of those who’ve already had a heart attack and relieve some symptoms of diseases that have a stress-related component. Studies also show that dogs, in particular, make people feel happier, allow them to meet new people on dog walks and even to lose weight (an average of 14 pounds a year, according to a University of Missouri study). The scientific evidence is overwhelming.
But living with pets who require lots of care can be difficult for those with chronic illness. Our client, Sandra, for instance, a 47-year-old woman with fibromyalgia, told Feel Better Now-CI Therapist Dan that, on some days, she really wondered if two rambunctious dogs were just too much for her.
So Dan asked Sandra to “externalize” her concerns — by writing down the advantages, as well as the disadvantages, of her dogs. At once, Sandra remembered how their love and companionship were an enormous comfort when she felt fearful and alone. And how they “broke the spell” of discouragement and pain with all their canine antics.
As a result, Sandra committed to find ways to live more comfortably with her dogs, and Dan suggested a few sessions of Quick Coaching with CI Life Coach Sylvia to develop some good strategies.
During their first session, Sylvia asked Sandra to talk about everything she found draining about her dogs. Then, together, they developed a plan for tackling each challenge. To avoid getting yanked around when her dogs were leashed, Sandra hired a trainer to perfect their obedience training. To get help on days when she felt fatigued, Sandra hired a neighborhood dog walker.
In a matter of weeks, most of the negatives of dog care had disappeared and Sandra felt a newfound happiness. Not only because of her resourcefulness, but because her dogs were now usually a joy.
Three Simple Steps for Caring for Your & Your Pet:
1. What isn’t working: List the top 10 things about pet care that drain your energy.
2. Create a plan: Address each thing on the list with a proactive solution. For example, hire help when you need it. You can view your investment in pet care as a good way to protect your health and energy — your life satisfaction.
3. One for you; one for Fido: Combine caring for your pet with caring for yourself. Need exercise? Need to socialize? Walk your dog! Want to meditate each morning? Put your cat in your lap! Want to explore your creative writing ability? Write about your dog, your cat, your bird, your hamster! Many books about pets have become bestsellers.
Once you’ve tried the three do-it-yourself steps above, you may also want some additional assistance in caring for yourself while caring for your pet. Getting an outside perspective can lead to solutions that are otherwise difficult to see.
Sign up for a free initial phone consultation with Therapist Dan or Coach Sylvia by visiting this page and clicking on Free Initial Consult. We look forward to talking with you.
-
The NEW! CI Coaching book that changes lives
Don't Let Chronic Illness Stand in Your Way: The Coach Approach to Reaching Your Full Potential
__________________________