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← Return to The value of an animal
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I am the blessed guardian of 3 cats-and I think there's been times where I wanted to give up, but they kept me going, putting one foot in front of the other.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 (mixed) with psychosis after a brain injury in 2018 (TBI was in 2016). My cats know when I am struggling and come up for a cuddle when I need it-sometimes before I realize I need it. Lately, I have been struggling with things and they have each been coming up for frequent cuddles, it's very calming.
When I was in nursing school in a leadership class, my group did a presentation on pet therapy, which has been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate. There are so many scientifically documented benefits of animal therapy. And it's been proven repeatedly over the years.
When I was recovering from my TBI in the early stages back in 2016/2017, and having seizures (which I thankfully no longer have), my cat was alerting on them, he would crawl up on my head (which he hasn't done since) and once, when I had one in the tub, he hopped up on the edge of a tub full of water and sat there, very still until I was able to get myself out (partial awareness seizure).
Love the experiences people have with the many. benefits of animals!
Replies to "I am the blessed guardian of 3 cats-and I think there's been times where I wanted..."
Since my bilateral spontaneous Achilles tendon ruptures I've been spending much of my days reclining in my bed, since the first of the year. My service dog has been spending more of her time either on the bed or next to it, especially since my depression level tanked. Usually she is on her bed in the living room, but she knows how I'm feeling. My service dogs have been so helpful to me over the past 15 years. Sadie is 10 and turning grey, and I know she won't live forever, but it's very hard to lose an animal who knows and cares for her person. They are partners in our good times and in the bad times, aren't they?
Jim
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I've never had a TBI, but my cat, Ermey, usually visits my forehead every morning around 5.
It's more therapy for her than me!
Pets can be life savers.