They have this amazing ability to pick cues just from the way you respond. Your canine friends love you the same way as you love them; they want to keep you happy all the time. Dogs never ditch or leave you alone in hard times. Does that mean they can help you cope with grief?
You’re Sad? Your Dog Knows
Dogs are intuitive to vibes around them; they reflect the energies absorbed from the surroundings. Whether others notice or not, the four-legged family member instantly knows when you are sad. Your unhappiness will make the canine lower his ears, lie down, and keep staring at you.
In the next few minutes, you will find your pup sitting by your side. The four leggy may not leave unless you give him a hug or show some affection. Patting your pup will soothe you and help cope with sadness.
According to research published in the Animal Cognition Journal, dogs are more likely to approach someone who is crying than a person who is in a cheerful mood. Your dog will walk up to you with his head down and tail tucked. Make sure to acknowledge his presence with a hug. A dog wags his tail when he is alert; your pup may even lick your face if he finds you crying.
Therapy Dogs Help Coping With Grief
While it’s debatable whether dogs feel your grief, they comfort you and make you smile in the hard times. In the US, millions of service dogs help people to overcome a local or national tragedy, particularly when there is a loss of life.
According to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), therapy dogs help people mourning the loss of a loved one. Trained therapy dogs comfort and support people, thereby relieving their anxiety and stress. Many funeral homes, hospitals, retirement villages, and even schools have therapy dogs for helping people coping with the grief of losing a loved one.
While dogs help people of all ages, they help children the most, especially the ones experiencing the loss of a beloved for the first time. It is difficult for a grieving child to talk about their feeling during emotional distress and trauma. A four-leggy can help the child to soothe and cope with grief.
Final Thoughts
There is no definite answer to whether a dog understands your grief. Experts in animal behavior have long been studying the emotions of dogs and how those feelings interact with the feelings of their guardians and owners. Some studies show that dogs approach a crying human being and try to soothe the person. It is difficult to say whether it is a myth or reality, but one thing that we can say for sure is that a dog will never leave you no matter what you are going through in life.
Do you agree or disagree that Dogs Help You Cope With Your Grief? You might also be interested in reading about is it bad for dogs to be alone all day while their owners work?
Author: Brandi Marcene
