Hi all,

I'm after some help or advice.

I have just been discharged from hospital in which I was admitted for three months due to major depression. Whilst i was in hospital I did an animal care diploma in which I was graded a distinction.

Anyway I am looking for a dog to provide a loving forever home to. I feel that this is a positive move and will give me a reason to wake up in a morning. Suffering from depression has been and continues to be very difficult and i feel that a dog will lift me and make the recovery process easier. Dont get me wrong, i dont believe that a dog is the answer to all my problems but i think i am ready for that relationship and look forward to the relationship a dog would provide.

I dont have much for adoption fee as i have been out of work whilst in hosp but am more than happy for a home assessment and references.

I feel that this is a positive move forward for me and the dog will encourage me to get up and out and increase my recovery rate. I have thoroughly thought this through and nurses have agreed that a dog would be of benefit for me.

If anyone can help or has any advice, I would be very welcome :help:

i personaly think any animal is great for people with depression i 100percent agree with you, try pets@home on here i know he has a few dogs in kennels and hes very very understandingxxx

How about Amber? she is a GSD that has been through so much, maybe you could do each other good? :)
Details here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=561940), good luck x

Hey fellow kittie :D

I hope you find a suitable dog, good luck :D

Dogs can be a fantastic therapy for mental health issues. I've been there myself.

All I would say is ensure that you tell whoever you look at obtaining a dog from about your reasons for doing so. They should then be able to match you to the right dog. Though dogs are great therapy, if you get a mismatched dog (ie. one that is hard work and would add grey hairs to anyone without any history of depression!) then they can also be a great source of stress. Not only that but a more bomb proof dog would be more ideal so they don't stress as much if you are having a bad day. (Can anyone tell I'm thinking about Eddy...? :lol: )

However, I'm totally 100% with you on your plan of getting a dog, and you're clearly well prepared for one. They are a fantastic therapy, good luck!

Dogs can be a fantastic therapy for mental health issues. I've been there myself.

All I would say is ensure that you tell whoever you look at obtaining a dog from about your reasons for doing so. They should then be able to match you to the right dog. Though dogs are great therapy, if you get a mismatched dog (ie. one that is hard work and would add grey hairs to anyone without any history of depression!) then they can also be a great source of stress. Not only that but a more bomb proof dog would be more ideal so they don't stress as much if you are having a bad day. (Can anyone tell I'm thinking about Eddy...? :lol: )

However, I'm totally 100% with you on your plan of getting a dog, and you're clearly well prepared for one. They are a fantastic therapy, good luck!

I think that is excellent advice Lotti :)

I think it's a great idea... providing you have a back up plan should you need to spend more time in hospital. It really wouldn't be fair on the dog if you took it out of kennels and gave it a great home only to find it wasn't all the cure (for want of a better word) that you were hoping it was and it had to go back to kennels. Much better if you have the support of a family member or friend that would foster the dog should you have a bad spell. Good luck.

I think that is excellent advice Lotti :)

I quite agree - but she really should apologise to Eddy for casting aspersions!!! :hihi:

To the OP - dogs are great when you have depression, I suffer from it and, on a bad day, sometimes the only reason I raise myself from the sofa is to take Zeb for a walk! And the exercise is very good for making you feel better.

But I definitely agree with Lotti about getting the right sort of dog - Zeb, bless, is not the easiest of beasts and I have to try hard not to let his stress-related behaviour affect me, because my stress increases his stress, etc, etc.

Mind you, it probably doesn't help that I'm a grumpy old woman!! :hihi:

Kittie its nice to know you are feeling so positive. I think also that as we are coming into spring - we just have to all start feeling a bit better - winter has been just too long.

ok - lets talk dog
I agree - dogs are fantastic for doing all that you are wanting them to do - and more. However, I think the dog ownership part of it should be the goal that you work towards - not land yourself into straight away.

I also see that you have cats and a child (from earlier posts) - therefore, all that would need to be taken in when looking for the right dog for you Which is fine - it just needs to be brought in.

Do you drive? My recommendation would be that you set yourself a goal of getting up every morning and going to walk a dog or some dogs. Stay committed to do that - maybe take the dog home for a few hours, and take it back to kennels.

Sadly we have had many dogs returned to kennels by people taking them on - going back into depression and a vicious circle going on. If you have a partner or a close friend who could help you work yourself into it - so much the better.

Then when you have been walking for so many weeks - regularly turning up every time you say you will do - maybe taken a dog home for a day, night, weekend, week - then look to see whats best for you. You could probably offer to foster a dog with a view to rehoming it from you? Giving it a helping hand as you benefit also.
Have a think and come back to me if I can help
rr

Please feel free to pm me,i do operate a back to rescue policy for all rehomes should things go wrong for any reason ,but to safegaurd all concerned there may be some conditions to adhere to, but dont worry as these may also benifit you too.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj99/SNIGGLES/image0072.jpg

Thanks all for some fab advice. I agree with all that has been said.
I do have a back up plan should things get bad again.
Thanks all :)

Good luck kittie, hope you find the right dog..