Hi Costello,

you remember when I had that problem with my neighbours, and my landlady decided I wasn't allowed to get a dog? Well, my care coordinator tried to persuade the landlady that a dog was important for my mental health (it didn't work out) but she did say that having a dog is very important in patient recovery. The fact of having someone to care for, who won't judge you, is very restorative. Perhaps if he had a little dog who he could feed, clean up after, take out for little walks might do a lot for his self esteem.

Dogs can be stressful too, I know that, when they bark all night, or slip their lead and run off into the deep woods, but perhaps the benefits would outweigh the cons?

It might just end up being an extra burden on you though, if you ended up being the one to walk, poop and feed. You know best if it's feasable. Just a thought...