Star quarterback Caleb Williams made headlines on Saturday after USC football’s heartbreaking loss to Washington, when he gave the media a surprising response on how he felt about the defeat.
“I wanna go home and cuddle with my dog and watch some shows,” the reigning Heisman winner told reporters.
While it was an unnatural response in the world of sports, William’s response came across as very human and relatable to any pet-owner.
Everyone who owns a pet knows how it feels to have a bad day — whether it be at school or work — the only way to make it better is by going home and playing with your pet.
In a study done by the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, research suggests that spending time with a pet can improve mental well-being. The reasoning for this is that when you interact with your pet, whether it be playing with them, scratching them or even cuddling them, you are releasing the “happiness” hormone known as serotonin.
Not only does the hormone affect the owner’s mood in a positive way, but it affects the pets’ as well. Serotonin brings a pet and its owner closer together and helps them establish trust. This is the same type of hormone that bonds a mother with their child.
“Playing and spending time with your dog is very therapeutic,” said dog owner Wesely Anhart. “You know your dog is there for you all the time, and that they do not judge you. They have an unconditional love for you as their owner. They are your anchor in a way, and help keep you grounded.”
In recent years, more and more people look to animals to help them deal with their mental health. A study done by The Assistance Dog Center in collaboration with CertaPet showed that owners of emotional support animals felt heightened levels of security and energy. Along with this, the study also showed a decrease in stress for the owners.
Kimberly Villanueva is a dog owner who knows well too much about the impact an emotional support animal can have on their owner. Villanueva has had a troubled past — she has attempted suicide twice and constantly struggled with depression and anxiety. That all changed seven years ago, though, when she rescued three-month old Penny.
Penny coming into Villanueva’s life was a match made in heaven for the two. Their bond quickly grew and they became inseparable. Wherever Villanueva goes, Penny is surely following. Since Penny’s arrival, Villanueva’s self harm has reduced by 100%. In Penny, Villanueva not only found a reason to live, but she also found her best friend.
“She reminds me to take care of myself. She is the reason I get out of bed, because I have to walk her three times a day. When I feed her and she eats, she reminds me to eat too,” said Villanueva. “She has completely improved my quality of life. I cannot imagine my life without her. Without a doubt, Penny saved me.”