I loved this thread! Thanks for getting our minds on someting so positive. I have two Burmese cats. They are brother and sister. Max and Mattie. Since they are chocolate in color I call them my M&M's. Burmese are VERY vocal, outgoing cats. Smart beautiful and sweet. .Everyone that meets them falls in love. They have been my crying partners many times. I tell them constantly I love them., In return Mattie throws her head up so that I can kiss the top of it..and Max rolls onto his back so I can kiss his tummy. My husband swears he wants his "junk" kissed..i am NOT going there:):) I had a great Golden retriver but when my son returned home from college he fell in love. We now have joint custody..which means whenever he comes over he brings Tanner and we get to pet sit when he leaves town. Max and Mattie always steal his big bed from him.

Two cats, two hampsters...and hoping for a tea cup poodle in the very near future.

Hi
I have two cats. I once watched a documentary about pets which mentioned that the act or stroking an animal is proven to be a stress reliever. Something to do with stress flowing out of your hands when you touch their fur. Didnt quite understand it at the time but its true. He3lps me anyway

I have a Bishon Frise. These kind of dogs were in circus movies in the 50's. They are called clowns and boy is she. I lost 2 guiena pigs last year. We had them for 5 and 6 years. We bought them after my step-son was killed. Yes, animals can be quite comforting. You give your love to a helpless creature who totally depends on you. One pig died at 2 a.m. and 4 days later the other died at 2 p.m. Mine died in my husbands arms and his died in mine. We bought the dog right before they passed away so the dog was great comfort and still is. Animals love you uncondionally unlike most humans. When the grandson gets mean with the dog, I get very defensive for the dog. Bishon's are all white so we named ours " Marshmellow". I have alot of clothes for her. Yes, my husband and I enjoy dressing her up and taking her out. Pretty pitiful when you dress up your dog to get attention but it works.
sunnydaze

I was just watching dog tricks on a site today and it really made me want a pet. I read somewhere that they can actually help us get well by our focusing our attention on their needs instead of our own.

That is not getting well by using distraction techniques for avoidance, that will only harness PTSD to come back bigger and better within a week or two. I believe animals could have an impact though during the management phase, that I will say. Many see animals as a way to relax, so I am agreeing with you and disagreeing coolgirl, more the disagreement aspect in relation to anything that you use and knowingly do to avoid.

Maybe cool worded it wrong, for you as what you took it as I did not. Only cool can clarify. Pets do make us look beyond our own needs and to theirs... Like the world does not solely revolve around us and our needs. I think a pet even before management does wonders for us there. Then the ability to center us when we lose it. I would have been lost way longer than I was without my critters to pet and return nurture. I do not see them as distracting but a taste of enjoying moments for what they are like the rest of the population does daily and takes for granted.

I had a dog and a cat at home, I have a cat here at college for that sole purpose.

Anthony,
I pet my dog when I need to ground myself and that is a technique I learned in the hospital. I find this to be one of my most effective grounding techniques and so consider it part of my recovery. Focusing on something outside yourself is part of the healing process. JMHO
Take care, Morgan

My horse is the greatest part of my world. Just looking into the big brown knowing eyes is like a tranquilizer! He is a black Thoroughbred named Zevon. The close and healing relationship between horses and humans is an enchanting, wondrous, thing, but hard to explain. You become one, and you can fly. You learn trust, because he has to trust YOU. I do go through a lot of guilt due to the fact that many times I cannot leave the house to go see him where I keep him. I will want to go so bad, but do not move. Knowing, that when I get there, it is so wonderful, I am in my element! I do not understand that and it drives me crazy trying. Dr said there is no rhyme or reason sometimes.

I also have a fabulous dog, a blue merle Australian Shepherd/Border collie, named Silver. He keeps me laughing and feeling very loved. I think he really thinks I am his mom. Guilt too about not giving him the attention I wanted to over this last yr.

I think animals are wonderful therapy. There is even a therapy now using horses, I think EAGALA is the acronym if you want to look it up.

"Thou shalt fly without wings"~