Dear you,
From what I understand, your friend seems to have a lot of hope in your recovery. And he's right . Healing needs time and you have gone through a lot. That health professional just didn't reach out to you as he should have done. May I suggest that you look up for another one with whom you could undergo a more positive therapy. You could benefit so much from that in addition to your friend's support. It's a good thing to be around animals and to nurture them. It soothes the soul in some way.
Take care