10/10/2026
Today is World Mental Health Day and it deserves some reflection.
I have been privileged to work with pets with mental illnesses. People along the way have said that I have a way with animals. And giving it more thought, maybe it’s not talent, maybe it’s not a “way”. And then I thought a bit further.
Maybe it’s because when I look at them, I see a piece of myself reflecting back at me. Maybe watching the dog responding to every cue and wanting to be micromanaged but yet finds it terrifying to be just settle and be is a reflection of the world that we live in. That we humans live in a world that we weren’t designed for. That just doing nothing is hard.
When I see the dog that is afraid to show any fearful body language and that you can only see the worry by the watching the size of the pupils change, is a reflection is a mirror that society doesn’t find it ok to be frustrated or afraid.
When I see the pet that is afraid to eat in the presence of a human, I see the trauma and understand that letting your guard down for minute requires trust that has not been earned.
When I see dogs showing hesitation to do dog things, I see the child being told that the word doesn’t work like that and to grow up.
When I see the pet terrified of the groomer or vet, I remember the child that was held down for medical procedures and still can’t fathom those procedures as an adult.
So maybe, it’s not a way with animals; maybe it’s seeing the pain and trauma that is in me.
If you watch closely, most pets are honest with their body language. We, as humans, aren’t as much.
On this World Mental Health Day, let’s all remember that for the most part, we are living in a society that our biology wasn’t meant for. So be kind, show compassion, and know that it is ok to not be ok. If we all become a little more honest about our feelings, maybe we’ll be able to be a little bit more compassionate about our pets’ mental health needs as well.