MY STORY

Mummy was admitted into hospital with depression. In her mid-twenties she had lost both her parents then after two years, when she thought she was getting back on her feet, Ed, one of the closest people in her small family who had played the role of brother, best friend and confidante since she was a teen lost his battle with depression and committed suicide.

Then depression took hold of Mummy too. In a short space of time she had gone from being an outgoing, successful young professional to being unable to leave the house, socialise and on bad days even get out of bed.

She was fortunate to be admitted into a specialist mental health hospital before depression completely shattered her life too. Unfortunately, like too many others, Ed had not been so fortunate. He wasn’t covered by health insurance, wasn’t in a financial position to self-fund and the NHS had not been quick enough to respond to his plea for help.

The main treatment options suggested for depression generally include anti-depressants, therapy, exercise, self-care and mindfulness. Mummy tried all of these things but they simply weren’t enough; she just couldn’t find hope. She knew she needed a more fundamental change to her life if she was to go on.

She struggled with the idea of building new relationships with people because she had already suffered so much loss and had been let down by some of those closest to her during the tough times she had faced.

Then while in hospital her psychiatrist discussed with her the potential power of animals to improve a person’s state of mind. She started looking into the subject of emotional support animals and was encouraged by the vast body of research and real-life stories that supported the view that pets can provide a unique and effective form of therapy for people suffering with mental health issues.

So that’s where I came into the picture.

It wasn’t a decision she took lightly. She was aware of the significant commitment and responsibility a dog would present. She had no experience of owning a dog (a goldfish had been the only family pet growing up due to her sister’s fear of animals). She discussed the idea with her friends, family, employer and medical professionals.

On balance, she concluded that she would be able to provide a good life for a support dog and, in turn, a support dog could provide a better life for her.

So she went to Discover Dogs to do some research. There she came across the Lhasa Apso stand and a combination of their size, temperament and of course extreme cuteness made her fall in love with the breed. The same day she sent a request out through The Kennel Club to see if there were any litters due in the coming months. The next day she received a message from a breeder who had a puppy ready to go to its forever home the next week. Although this was in no way the time frame she had planned for, she saw a picture of me and fell in love (who wouldn’t!). So the hospital let her out to visit me in person and the moment she held me a spark went off inside her. She experienced feelings she hadn’t felt in so long: joy, love, hope.

A week later, after being discharged from hospital, she collected me. And that’s how our beautiful relationship began.