UNLEASHING WELLNESS: NURTURING MENTAL HEALTH FOR BOTH HUMANS AND THEIR CANINE COMPANIONS.

By Dr. Ruben Castro

Now that spring is officially here, many of us look forward to planning our summer vacation. For many of us, May marks the last month for doing that planning. However, we must consider one crucial thing that affects our fur babies and us. Mental Health Awareness Month for humans and canines is recognized in May. If we plan on taking our dog on vacation, we must consider mental health besides physical health. With that in mind, here are some tips to ensure optimum health for you and your dog:

This one is the easiest—just owning a dog can improve the mental health of you and your dog. Most dogs want nothing more than to be loved by you, and by giving them some TLC, you and your dog could experience many positives. According to psychologist Harold Herzog, people who own dogs have experienced better psychological well-being, decreased rate of depression and levels of stress, and increased self-esteem.

Ensure that their living space is secure and peaceful. This is especially critical, especially if your dog is aggressive or territorial. If they spend a significant amount of time during the day in an area where they can see activity but cannot partake in it or have enough room to roam, their anxiety levels may increase. If you have a senior dog, they may just want peace and quiet, so if you have young children, make sure your dog has a sanctuary where they won’t be bothered by loud noises.

Providing regular exercise for your dog is excellent for both of you. According to WebMD, simply walking with your dog improves blood pressure and energy levels, and you run a lower risk of depression. Walking helps reduce behavior problems, releases pent-up energy, and helps them sleep better at night.

The type of food your dog consumes does affect their mental health. According to Rowan Sanderson, a chief nutrition officer for dog food, bone broth, blueberries, and marrow bone can improve your dog’s mental health. These foods aid in Leaky Gut Syndrome, which is a weakening of the protective lining in the stomach and intestines. Preventing their guts leads to a happier dog. Emerging research suggests that blueberries contain polyphenols, which have been linked to the stimulation of new cell growth, especially in their brain! An important thing to note about blueberries is that dogs have problems digesting fruit sugars, so please keep their sugar intake within 5% of their total calorie requirement.

Coping with life changes. Just like we cope with losing a loved one, our dogs are no different. The loss or addition of a pack member or the transition to a new home can disrupt the dynamics of the house. Your dog may have challenges with this new change. Therefore, you must help your dog cope with these changes by maintaining a sense of normalcy. Keep their feeding and potty break times around the same time, no matter where they are.

Almost every dog owner I have come across agrees that owning a dog provides mental health benefits for humans, but I have never heard of how we can maintain their mental health. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month for humans, hopefully, more attention can be brought up that May is also Mental Health Awareness Month for dogs!

Dr. Castro is a proud Catholic who is a husband, father, and educator born and raised in the RGV. He is a graduate of Northcentral University with a doctorate in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership. He also holds a Master of Science in Sociology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Castro’s current research focuses on Education, Crime and Deviance, and Race and Ethnicity. He is also the owner of the K&B Dog Learning Cener, Inc. www.kbdoglearningcenter.com