I've had dogs for over 14 years. They definitely help me with so many things. They make it easier for me to go out in public, make it easier for me to meet people, and get me to do things I never thought I could do. When I'm feeling really stressed or anxious or upset, just sitting and petting a dog helps me to relax and get grounded. When I need to cry, there's nothing better for me than cuddling with a dog and crying in to their fur.

My dogs have saved my life on more than one occasion, as I realized that I couldn't leave them behind. When I was at my lowest and seriously considering sui...fully ready to act...I sat on the couch and both dogs jumped in my lap and snuggled in and it stopped me.

One of my current dogs has proven to alert to severe mood changes. She alerts when I fall in to a mixed state or a depression.

Having the daily routine of caring for dogs has helped me to stay functional even when I'm at my worst and it helps me to maintain some kind of social rhythm. Also, I compete with my dogs, so I have weekly training classes and shows on weekends, which gives me a network of people that I have something in common with.