Re: New Puppy seems to help depression & OCD

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill,

My son adores our German Shepherd. When his OCD was real severe he would keep

bugging the dog all night and the dog bite him. The dog reallystarted to

sense something was very wrong and started disliking him. The more he tries to

get

the dog to like him the worse that relationship becomes. The dog is old and

dying now. I know how very special the dog is to my son. He tries so hard to

get the dog to like him. Anyway as much as I hate to get another dog when this

one dies, I know it would be the very best thing for my son. I'm glad your son

found some peace and happiness with his puppy. Puppies are sweet and non

judgmental----old dogs have issues and they don't forgive.

Take Care,

Dana

[Guest guest]

Bill,

That is fantastic - what a great idea to get a puppy! Glad to hear is

enjoying him. We found with our son that his two dogs really helped him when

things were at their worst. When he was severely depressed due to the OCD,

bringing the dogs to the park was about the only outside activity he could

manage. He would also spent lots of time petting them in the evening petting

them when we watched T.V. together. I really think that kids, and particularly

kids with problems, develop a special bond with their pets and derive a lot of

comfort from them.

Sinead

New Puppy seems to help depression & OCD

Hi,

My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to stop

dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

seen a pet help a child so much?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill

[Guest guest]

Bill, that's great!

Pets are wonderful - even the littlest pets can get you out of your own head. I

think that's one of the tricks, even with depression, or even just a blue mood.

When you take care of someone or something, it takes you out of your own

internal whirlpool. I wouldn't be surprised if the " happiness " chemicals start

circulating more when someone is even petting an animal.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.

New Puppy seems to help depression & OCD

>

> Hi,

> My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

>Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

>seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

>and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

>not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

>afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to stop

>dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

>could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

>see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

>seen a pet help a child so much?

> Happy Thanksgiving!

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dogs are great! I'm so glad your son is enjoying his. I know what

you mean about smiling.

Our dog either sleeps with or at least in his room. Dog's

choice to do that. I jokingly " complain " about it since *I* am the one

who feeds it, mostly the one to take it outside, and she doesn't even

like to put the leash on her (we think he must have pinched

her or something once). But of the 4 of us, she'll always go to bed

with !

>

> Hi,

> My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

> Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

> seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

> and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

> not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

> afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to

stop

> dwelling on his OCD.

[Guest guest]

a smile!! you have much to be thankful for!!! - great news Bill

eileen

Quoting justlivey <justlivey@...>:

> Hi,

> My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

> Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

> seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

> and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

> not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

> afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to stop

> dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

> could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

> see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

> seen a pet help a child so much?

> Happy Thanksgiving!

> Bill

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We also got a puppy recently. And it has been great. Puppies are good therapy.

Seems a popular choice.

J

New Puppy seems to help depression & OCD

Hi,

My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to stop

dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

seen a pet help a child so much?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill

[Guest guest]

I want to get a puppy too, but am not sure if I can handle the extra

stress. Is it hard?

Bonnie

>

> We also got a puppy recently. And it has been great. Puppies are

good therapy. Seems a popular choice.

> J

> New Puppy seems to help depression &

OCD

>

>

> Hi,

> My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

> Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days

ago

> seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD,

PTSD

> and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I

have

> not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

> afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to

stop

> dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop

factory

> could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv.

come

> see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else

ever

> seen a pet help a child so much?

> Happy Thanksgiving!

> Bill

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I want to get a puppy too, but am not sure if I can handle the extra

> stress. Is it hard?

Well, if he's a house dog, there's taking him " out " during the

day/night. And then waiting while they sniff & sniff until they

find " the " spot, LOL. And then there's walking them (which we aren't

good about). When puppies they chew lots of things so need to keep

things (shoes, stuffed animals...) out of reach, including for our's

the wires to anything that plugged in. And when puppies and sleeping

alone, the whining (but I'm one with them OK in bed or room). But

after all that passes, as they adapt/get older and as the family

adapts, LOL, it's worth it! The type of dog matters too. I'm

already trying to decide which I want (have 2 or 3 types in mind so

far) when my sons move out so that I'll have something to

mother/baby! OK, one more thing - the vet bills!

[Guest guest]

Bill,

Well, I don't have a puppy but if my children's OCD returns in full force, I

will make a run for the humane society!

I am so glad your son is improved. What a happy post -- we've all been

rooting for your family and it is wonderful for us all to hear of your success.

I also wanted to add that I think your new wife is wonderful. It is alot to

take on step-children and she sounds like she has been incredibly supportive

throughout all of this. It sounds like you are both very lucky to have her!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know you have lots to be thankful for this

year. Yea!!!!

Sinead Ni <sinead115@...> wrote:

Bill,

That is fantastic - what a great idea to get a puppy! Glad to hear is

enjoying him. We found with our son that his two dogs really helped him when

things were at their worst. When he was severely depressed due to the OCD,

bringing the dogs to the park was about the only outside activity he could

manage. He would also spent lots of time petting them in the evening petting

them when we watched T.V. together. I really think that kids, and particularly

kids with problems, develop a special bond with their pets and derive a lot of

comfort from them.

Sinead

New Puppy seems to help depression & OCD

Hi,

My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to stop

dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

seen a pet help a child so much?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill

[Guest guest]

Bill,

That is so exciting to hear and I believe it. I got a dog 4 years ago

and was absolutely amazed at how much my dog helped me

psychologically. They always greet you with a smile, I walk mine off

leash at a wood trail 4 days a week which I would not walk without my

dog. My dog makes me get outside in nature, enjoy the sun, etc. etc.

Yes, to take care of a dog does take your mind off yourself and the

reward is huge. I am looking at buying another dog right now that I

want to try and train to be a therapy dog. So many people dwell on the

work of a pet but the mental value is huge for some! I am so excited

for your son, smart move from dad!!

[Guest guest]

> found some peace and happiness with his puppy. Puppies are sweet and

non

> judgmental----old dogs have issues and they don't forgive.

> Take Care,

Dana,

I wonder if your old dog just doesn't feel well. I am sure he still

loves your son and is forgiving, but dogs really have no way to tell

you they hurt or don't feel well except to get grouchy. Maybe explain

that to your son and ask him to be more gentle to the dog and see what

happens. However, I do know that once a dog is hurt it is hard for

them to trust again.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for writing----I think the dog just sensed how tense the situation

with my son's OCD issues affected our family . The dog just like our us thought

the OCD behavior was so out of character for the boy we thought we knew. (

staying up and roaming the house all night etc) It is really sad because he is

now very kind to the dog but the dog refuses his affection by growling. The dog

is affectionate to the other family members.

[Guest guest]

Our pets have always seemed to help calm dd down. One of our cats passed away

about 2 months ago and we got a new cat about 2 weeks ago. She likes to sleep

with either of my dds. My OCDer has done pretty well with it, except the cat has

a cold and had some eye drainage and dd wouldnt let her on her bed during that

time - didnt want the " eye gunk " on her bed. Now she is fine.

Pets can do a lot. My neice and my sister both do animal therapy with their own

pets at a nursing home. They love it.

Sharon

New Puppy seems to help depression & OCD

Hi,

My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to stop

dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

seen a pet help a child so much?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill

[Guest guest]

--- In , bmk100@... wrote

Adult dog from the shelter worked best for us due to our inability

to handle a new puppy when daughter was so ill with ocd. She had

been abused and was timid, but so gentle and sweet. My daughter

thinks they helped each other overcome their " issues " .

> Hi Bill,

> My son adores our German Shepherd. When his OCD was real severe he

would keep

> bugging the dog all night and the dog bite him. The dog

reallystarted to

> sense something was very wrong and started disliking him. The more

he tries to get

> the dog to like him the worse that relationship becomes. The dog

is old and

> dying now. I know how very special the dog is to my son. He tries

so hard to

> get the dog to like him. Anyway as much as I hate to get another

dog when this

> one dies, I know it would be the very best thing for my son. I'm

glad your son

> found some peace and happiness with his puppy. Puppies are sweet

and non

> judgmental----old dogs have issues and they don't forgive.

> Take Care,

> Dana

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My son just bought himself 2 mice with his birthday money and when he plays with

them he looks so relaxed.... we already have a dog he loves.

Cheers Jaxx (New Zealand)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

It's amazing what pets can do! My 16yo son had a very tough time a few

years ago with PANDAS. When he was in the middle of one of his

emotional outbursts, I used to hand him our cat, Yoshi. She was the

only thing that could calm him down. Now she works wonders for me when

I'm having a stressful day. I just pet her and the calming begins!

Robin in NJ

>

> Hi,

> My son has been home from the ped. psyc ward for 2 weeks. The

> Anafranil 100mg per day and the new puppy we brought home 3 days ago

> seem to be working well. We gave our 17 yr old with severe OCD, PTSD

> and depression the job of housebreaking the 6 week old feist. I have

> not seen my son smile so much in over 2 years. He told me this

> afternoon that him taking care of puppy has really helped him to

stop

> dwelling on his OCD. Who would have thought a 2 pound poop factory

> could make such a difference. The hospital had a Golden Retrv. come

> see the kids several times a week for therapy. Has anyone else ever

> seen a pet help a child so much?

> Happy Thanksgiving!

> Bill

>